Mthobisi Maphumulo

b. 1988, Imfume, Durban, South Africa.
Mthobisi Maphumulo is a Durban-based artist and the founder of the Amasosha Art Movement, a collective of young artists working in the city. He uses oil pastel and monoprint, making figurative imagery that is critical of capitalist social structures, like race and class. Using symbolism and layered titling, his works reflect on South Africa’s unequal economy, emphasising the social and psychological effects of dispossession and impoverishment.

Art Education

2015: Certificate in The Business of Art, Curate.A.Space, Durban.
2013: Printmaking Workshop, Durban Art Gallery, Durban.
2012: Certificate in Mural making, Bremen.
2010: Certificate in Visual Art, BAT Centre, Durban.
2011: Certificate, Velobala weekend art classes, African Art Centre, Durban.

Group  Exhibitions (South Africa)

2020: Turbine Art Fair, World Art Gallery, Cape Town.
2019: Articulate Africa, A4 Arts Foundation, Cape Town.
2018: Thupelo International workshop exhibition, Greatmore Studios, Cape Town.
2017: From the horse’s mouth, Ebony gallery, Cape Town.
2017: Members group exhibition, KZNSA Gallery, Durban.
2016: Beyond binaries, Durban Art Gallery, Durban.
2016: Essence Festival, ICC, Durban.
2016: 20 Years Later: A Fresh Look at the Bill of Rights, African Art Centre, Durban.
2016: Invisible, KZNSA Gallery, Durban.
2015: Lessons, Nedbank, Durban.
2015: Joburg fringe, ArtsonMain, Johannesburg.
2015: After Winter, Henry George Gallery, Johannesburg.
2015: Fresh produce, Turbine Art Fair, Johannesburg.
2015: Digital art, BAT Centre, Durban.
2015: Blowing Minds, University of the Free State gallery, Bloemfontein; KZNSA gallery, Durban.
2015: Transformation, Incubation, Activation, KZNSA Gallery, Durban.
2014: Reflection, BAT Centre, Durban.
2014: Ababhemu, 8 Morrison Street, Durban; Grahamstown Art Festival, Grahamstown.
2014: Hilton Art Festival, Durban.
2014: Bobathathu June 16 exhibition, Sushi Corner, Durban.
2014: Awe, What you say about what?, KZNSA Gallery, Durban.
2014: Twenty/20 - A clear vision, Growing the Mandela Legacy, Unisa Art Gallery, Pretoria.
2014: Emerging Eyes, African Art Centre, Durban.
2013: Group Exhibition, The Collective art gallery, Durban.
2013: Group Exhibition, Wushwini Art and Culture Heritage Centre, Durban.
2012: Contemporary Voices, African Art Centre, Durban.
2011: Izikhwepha Zethu, Durban Art Gallery, Durban.
2011: Don’t Panic, Durban Art Gallery, Durban.
2010: Group Exhibition, BAT Centre, Durban.

Group Exhibitions (International)

2018: 7th International Biennial pastel exhibition, Nowy Sącz, Poland.

Amasosha collective exhibitions

2016: Messages from the Soul, KZNSA Gallery, Durban.
2016: Creative pot, Umlazi community hall, Durban.
2016: Hope in the struggle, Amini Florida, Durban.
2015: Siyaya, Greedy Buddha, Umhlanga.
2015: Eye Candy, Hilton Art Festival, Durban.
2015: Umhlabelo, Atelier Shop 2, Durban; BAT Centre, Durban.

Public Art Projects

2010: Mosaic at Sakhithemba Centre, KwaZulu-Natal.
2011: Mural of Inqola noseyili at photography exhibition by Zoro Xaba, Durban.
2011: Renewal of BAT Centre Mural, Durban.
2011: Waterfall Mural, Victoria Market bridge (for Don’t panic exhibition), Durban.
2012: Mural in Concordia-Tunnel, Bremen, Germany.

Collections

Nandos Art Collection, Southern Africa.
Amazwi Contemporary Art, Michigan.
Leiterin der stadtischen Galerie, Bremen.
Durban Art Gallery collection, Durban.
Bertha Foundation collection, International.
Deborra Patta private collection, South Africa.
Kevin Mabanga private collection, South Africa.
William Humphrey's Art Gallery 

Awards

2015: Most promising artist, KZNSA Gallery, Durban.

Other

2023: ASAI Print Access Workshop, Art Print Studio KZN, Durban.
2022: Art Director and Founder of Amashosha Art Movement
2022: Facilitator at Ikomkhulu Art Space
2013: Assistance in Don't Panic Exhibition by curator Gabi Ngcobo, Durban Art Gallery
2012: Facilitator at Wushwini Art and Culture Heritage, Art in school Project, Durban.

 

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