Thami Jali

b. 1955, Lamontville, Durban.
Thami Jali is a painter, ceramicist and printmaker. As an alumni of the Rorke’s Drift Art & Craft Centre, he helped to re-establish the ceramics studio for their 2004 re-opening. Jali’s subject matter is as broad as his skill set, engaging areas from political life, dreams and the surreal, to forms from nature. 

 


Education

1983 - 1984: Ceramics, Natal Technikon, KwaZulu-Natal.
1981 - 1982: Rorke's Drift Art & Craft Centre, Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Solo Exhibitions (South Africa)

2024: Mphendla Ndlela, KwaZulu-Natal Society of Art (KZNSA) Gallery, Durban.
2014: Restless Spirt, Durban Art Gallery, Durban.
2007: Transformation, BAT Centre - Menzi Mchunu Gallery, Durban.
1998: Ungqofo Ulalele, BAT Centre - Menzi Mchunu Gallery, Durban.

Group Exhibitions (South Africa)

2014: Retroactive, KwaZulu-Natal Society of Art (KZNSA) Gallery, Durban.
2011: Three Parts More Harmony, Durban Art Gallery, Durban.
2011: Amandla, BAT Centre - Menzi Mchunu and Democratic Galleries, Durban.
2010: Amandla, Durban Art Gallery, Durban.
2009: A Known Heritage, Kizo Art Gallery, Umhlanga.
2004: InniBos Kunstefees, Nelspruit.
1995: Africus: Johannesburg Biennale ’95, Johannesburg
1995: 38 Essex Road, NSA Gallery, Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal
1994: National Arts Trust Exhibition, BAT Centre, Durban.
1992: Thupelo Workshop Exhibition, Federated Union of Black Artists (FUBA) Gallery, Johannesburg.
1991: Thupelo Workshop Exhibition, Federated Union of Black Artists (FUBA) Gallery, Johannesburg.
1990: Vulamehlo – Open Eye,  Durban Art Gallery, Durban.
1989: Five Friends, (Paul Sibisi, Mpolokeng Ramphomane, Sfiso kaMkame, Gordon Gabashane and Thami Jali), Natal Society of Art (NSA) Gallery, Durban.
1989: Objects of Utility, Federated Union of Black Artists (FUBA) Gallery, Johannesburg.
1988: Friends of Freedom, Federated Union of Black Artists (FUBA) Gallery, Johannesburg.
1980 - 1982: Festival of African Art, University of Zululand, Richards Bay.

Group Exhibitions (International)

1997: New Dehli Triennale, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Dehli.
1993: ART OMI, International Artists Workshop, New York.
1990: Art from South African Townships, Institute for Contemporary Arts, London.
1983: Art Communication, Indingilizi Gallery, Mbabane.

Workshops & Residencies

2023: ASAI Print Access Workshop, Wits School of Arts, Johannesburg.
1997: Artist in Residence, Edgewood College, Wisconsin.
1990: Zabalaza Festival, Institute of Contemporary Art, London.

Awards

1982: First Prize - Sculpture, Festival of African Arts, University of Zululand, Richard's Bay.

Other

2017: Judge, PPC Imaginarium Awards, South Africa.
2004: Re-established the ceramics studio, Rorke's Drift Art & Craft Centre, Kwa-Zulu Natal.
2000: Ceramic tile project, Matsulu Art Centre, Mpumalanga. 
1991: Trustee, Community Mural Projects, Cultural Trust, Durban.
1987: Pottery and sculpture teacher, Mofolo Art Centre, Soweto.
1983 - 1984: Founder, Art Communications, Natal Technikon (now Durban University of Technology).

Public collections

Artists for Human Rights Trust
Caversham Press
Campbell Collection, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.
Durban Art Gallery, Durban.
Phansi Museum
Iziko South African National Gallery, Cape Town.
Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg.
The Constitutional Court, Johannesburg.
University of Zululand, Richard's Bay.

Russel Hlongwane, Thami Jali, Mphendla Ndlela, (KZNSA Gallery, 2024).
Sithembiso Sangweni, Thami Jali, artist on a mission, (ASAI, 2018).
Thami Jali, Recalling Community Mural Projects, (ASAI, 2018).
Jenny Stretton, Thami Jali: Restless Spirit, (ASAI, 2018; originally published in 2014 by Durban Art Gallery).
Jenny Stretton, Thami Jali talks to curator Jenny Stretton about his vision for the future, (ASAI, 2018; originally published in 2014 by Durban Art Gallery).
Bren Brophy, Terry-Anne Stevenson reflects on an artistic life shared with Thami Jali, (ASAI, 2018; originally published in 2014 by Durban Art Gallery).
Witty Nyide, Directions to find Thami Jali (ASAI, 2018; originally published in 2014 by Durban Art Gallery).

KZNSA Gallery, Thami Jali: Mphendla Ndlela (2024).
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