Isaac Nkululeko Makeleni

Nyanga Public Primary and Higher Schools (completed Standard 5/ Grade 7).
Self-taught artist

2013: Against the Grain, Iziko South African National Gallery. Curated by Mario Pissarra. Featured works "Together Forever", "Together Forever II", "Cross", "Mandela and de Klerk", "Prescribed..." and "Fall of Nyanga Bush". Full-colour catalogue with essay on artist, published by ASAI.
2012: Siyakubona, Cape Gallery, Cape Town.
2011: A Natural Selection. 1991-2011, AVA. Curated by Clare Butcher. Featured work "Prescribed..."
2007: & Beyond Encryption, Cape Gallery.
2007: Africa South, AVA, Cape Town. Curated by Mario Pissarra. Featured work "Prescribed..."
2007: Exhibition to accompany international conference of Jungian psychologists, Cape Town International Conference Centre. Curated by Josie Grinrod and Kate Gottgens. Featured work "For Whom the Bell Tolls" purchased by the curator (Grinrod).
2007: Exhibition #1. Gill Alderman Gallery, Kenilworth. Featured work "Together Forever (II)"
2006: Stop Crime awareness campaign, organised by City of Cape Town. Exhibition listed on artist's CV, details not known
2005: Group exhibition, Zolani Centre, Nyanga. Sponsored by Old Mutual. Exhibition listed on artist's CV, details not known.
2004: Masivuke ma Africa exhibition, Walter Teka School, Nyanga.
2004: Botaki. Old Mutual Asset Managers, Cape Town. Curated by Mario Pissarra. Featured work "Together Forever (II)". Small illustrated catalogue.
2002: Human Rights Media Centre, Athlone. Exhibition listed on artist's CV, details not known.
2002 - 03: Exhibition for opening ceremony of ICC cricket World Cup. Exhibition listed on artist's CV, details not known.
2002: Umbono. Castle of Good Hope. Exhibition listed on artist's CV, details not known.
2001: A Woman's Journey. Philani Nutrition Project exhibition, Castle of Good Hope. Exhibition listed on artist's CV, details not known.
1999: One City, Many Cultures Festival. Makeleni co-ordinated group of artists who painted six street signs in Guguletu, organised by Public Eye. 
1999: Masivuke ma Africa Calendar Exhibition, Zolani Centre, Nyanga. Exhibition listed on artist's CV, details not known. (Unclear if same as 1997 entry for calendar exhibition at Zolani Centre, listed on another version of CV)
1998: Cape Town Arts Festival. Exhibition listed on artist's CV, details not known (unclear if same as above)
1998: Group exhibition, Zolani Centre, Nyanga. Exhibition listed on artist's CV, details not known (unclear if linked to mosaic exterior of Zolani Centre, which Makeleni participated in).
1997: Engaging the Shadows exhibition-project, Robben Island Museum. Colour photograph of two dolls produced by the artist featured along with listing in Mail & Guardian 6 February 1997.
1996: Primart Gallery, Claremont, Cape Town.
1996: Wood panel workshop and exhibition, AVA. Panel sold to unknown buyer.
1996: Community projects exhibition, South African National Gallery. Exhibition listed on artist's CV, details not known.
1995: Exhibited his first "Black Doll" at Primart, Claremont.
1994: Twenty Pieces of Wood, British Council, Cape Town. Exhibition listed on artist's CV, details not known.
1993: Irma Stern Museum, Cape Town. Exhibition listed on artist's CV, details not known.
1993: Exhibited crafts at Red Shed, V & A Waterfront, Cape Town, as part of Masizakhe co-operative.
1993: Safmarine House, Cape Town. Exhibition listed on artist's CV, details not known.
1992 - 93: Made in Wood. South African National Gallery, Cape Town. Featured work "Sam Nujoma and Company". Catalogue includes b/w illustration of work and short biography.
1992: Visual Arts Group travelling exhibition at Zolani Centre, Nyanga; Uluntu Centre, Guguletu; Mayibuye Centre UWC; Centre for African Studies, UCT; and South African Association of Arts, Church Street. Featured several works, including "Mellow Yellow". Key role in running adult and children's workshops at Zolani Centre.
1992: Mural painting exhibition- workshop, Baxter Theatre Gallery. Painted panel with Willie Bester and Vincent Silimela, purchased by Mayibuye Centre, UWC.
1991: [with Willie Bester and Ismael Thyssen], Gallery International, Cape Town. Featured several works, including "€œSam Nujoma and Company". Exhibition opened by Albie Sachs.
1991: Visual Arts Group travelling exhibition at Manenberg People's Centre; Zolani Centre, Nyanga; and Uluntu Centre, Guguletu. Featured several works including "Mandela and De Klerk": (Sold) and "Together Forever".
1987: Eye of the Artist, St Mary's Church, Guguletu. Organised by CAP students
1986: Primart Gallery, Claremont

Iziko Museums ("Seven Vices").
University of the Western Cape.
William Humphrey's Art Gallery, Kimberly.

Martin, Marilyn et al (1992) Made in Wood: Work from the Western Cape. South African National Gallery, Cape Town. ISBN 1 874817 07 3
Pissarra, Mario (2004) Botaki. Old Mutual Asset Managers, Pinelands. Available online (click here)
Pissarra, Mario (2011) (ed.) Visual Century: South African art in context. Vol 3: 1973-92. Wits University Press, Johannesburg. ISBN 978 1 86814 526 3. Introduction online (includes discussion of Makeleni)
Pissarra, M (2013) Against the Grain. ASAI, Cape Town, 64 pp. ISBN
978 0 620 57044 2

1990-c. 1993: Active member of Visual Arts Group. Served on executive, including as chairperson.
c.1992: Workshop for criminal offenders for Nicro, Mitchells Plain. Run on behalf of Visual Arts Group.
c.1992: Co-founder Masizakhe Crafts Co-operative.
1991: Member of Federation of South African Cultural Organisations (FOSACO) delegations in talks with the South African National Gallery, South African Association of Arts, and City of Cape Town, concerning the democratisation of para-statal cultural institutions.
Early 1980s: Founded Makeleni Arts & Crafts
Early 1980s: Briefly associated with Nyanga Arts Centre and Community Arts Project

Isaac Makheleni Obituary on Artthrob