Ishmael Thyssen

b. Jan Kempdorp, Northern Cape, 1953. Lives in Steenberg, Western Cape.

Primarily a wood sculptor, Thyssen also paints, prints and carves relief panels. His often contemplative figures are influenced by modernist and African sources, as well as by social concerns.



Education

1976 - 1977: Art Class, Methodist Church, Somerset West, South Africa.
1980 - 1984: Studied at Community Arts Project (under Cecil Skotnes), Woodstock, Cape Town.

Exhibitions (solo)

2013: Return, The Framery Art Gallery, Sea Point, Cape Town.
2000: Association for Visual Arts, Cape Town.
2000: Winchester Hotel, Sea Point, Cape Town.
1991: Centre for African Studies, University of Cape Town.
1987: Riverside Centre, Rondebosch, Cape Town.

Exhibitions (group)

2014: ‘Against the Grain’, Sanlam Art Gallery, Bellville, South Africa.
2013: ‘Against the Grain’, Iziko South African National Gallery, Cape Town.
2006: Kalk Bay Modern (with Peter Clarke), Kalk Bay, Cape Town.
2002: ‘New directions’, The Framery Gallery, Sea Point, Cape Town.
2000: Greatmore Studios, Woodstock, Cape Town.
2000: Retreat Municipal Library, Retreat, Cape Town.
1996: Galerie Knud Grothe, Charlottenlund, Denmark
1993: Manneberg Jazz Cafe’ (with Donovan Ward), Cape Town.
1992: Primordial Stirrings, Primart Gallery, Claremont, Cape Town.
1992: Village Studio, Constantia, Cape Town.
1992: ‘Made in Wood’, Iziko South African National Gallery, Cape Town.
1991: Gallery International (with Willie Bester and Isaac Makeleni), Cape Town.
1990/1991: ‘Art-on-the-box, [Primart], Cape Town.
1990: [Members exhibition], Dorp Street Gallery, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
1989: Centre for African Studies, University of Cape Town.
1989: Rahmen Galerie(with Peter Clarke and Tyrone Appolis), Langen, Germany.
1989: ‘Images of Wood’, Johannesburg Art Gallery.
1987: Cavendish Square, Claremont, Cape Town.
1987: African Treasures, National Touring exhibition, South Africa.
1986: South African National Gallery, Cape Town.
1984: Riverside Centre, Rondebosch, Cape Town. (organised by South African Institute of Race Relations)
1983: Gowlett Gallery, Cape Town.
1982: Hugo Naude House, Worcester, South Africa.

Collections

Iziko South African National Gallery
Centre for African Studies (UCT) Collection
University of the Western Cape
Investec Bank Collection
Standard Bank

Publications

2013: Mario Pissarra, 'Against the Grain’, Cape Town: Africa South Art Initiative.
1993: Martin, Marilyn; Proud, Hayden; et al, ‘Made in Wood: Work from the Western Cape’, South African National Gallery, Cape Town
?1989: Images of Wood