b. 1965, Maphumulo, KwaZulu-Natal; lives in Durban.
Mzuzile Mduduzi Xakaza’s landscapes draw on personal and collective histories of KwaZulu-Natal. The images respond critically to a tradition of colonial landscape painting that is underwritten by connotations of settler ownership and white authority, and thus Black dispossession. Rather than acting as a detached observer of the land, Xakaza portrays it from a position of belonging.
Education
2004: Post-Graduate Diploma, Museum and Heritage Studies, Universities of Cape Town, University of the Western Cape and Robben Island Museum, Cape Town.
2002: M.A. Fine Art, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.
1996: B.A. (Hons) History of Art, University of South Africa, Pretoria.
1992: B.A. Fine Art, University of Fort Hare, Alice.
1992: Higher Diploma in Education, University of Fort Hare, Alice.
Solo Exhibitions (South Africa)
2007: New Landscape paintings, African Art Centre, Durban.
2005: New Landscape paintings, The NSA Gallery, Durban.
2003: Landscape paintings, African Art Centre, Durban.
2001: Landscape paintings, drawings and graphic prints (MAFA portfolio), Tatham Art Gallery,
Pietermaritzburg.
Group Exhibitions (South Africa)
2012: Barbara Lindop at Home, Barbara Lindop's residence, Johannesburg.
2011: Barbara Lindop at Home, Barbara Lindop's residence, Johannesburg.
2011: Three Parts/ More Harmony, Durban Art Gallery, Durban.
2011: Who Am I….Ngingubani?, Durban Art Gallery, Durban.
2010: What We See: Reconsidering an Anthropometrical Collection from Southern Africa, Iziko Slave Lodge, Cape Town.
2010: The Lie of the Land, Old Town House, Cape Town.
2010: People, Prints and Process: 25 Years at Caversham, Standard Bank Gallery,Johannesburg.
2009: A group exhibition, Turbine Hall, Johannesburg.
2008: 10th Anniversary Celebrations Exhibition, Greatmore Studios, Cape Town.
2007: Intel Promotional Exhibition, Sandton Square, Johannesburg.
2006: Renault Artists, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg.
2005: RENAULT ART & CULTURE, Vehicle Showroom @ Gateway, Umhlanga.
2005: Art @ Home, Residence of Angie Bishop and Sandy Batchelor, Kloof.
2004: Summer, African Art Centre, Durban.
2004: Midlands Biennale, Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg.
2002-3: Untold Tales of Magic: Abelumbi, Durban Art Gallery, Durban; Standard Bank Gallery, Johannesburg; Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg; Carnegie Art Gallery, Newcastle; Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein; TEACH Museum, Empangeni; Pretoria Art
Museum,Pretoria; William Humphrey Art Gallery, Kimberley; Margate Art Gallery, Port Shepstone.
2002: KZN Art teachers’ exhibition, Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg.
2001: Gordon Verhoef & Krause Art in the Park, Alexandra Park, Pietermaritzburg.
2001: Save the Ruth Prowse, Ruth Prowse School of Art, Cape Town.
2001: The Land exhibition, University of South Africa, Pretoria.
2001: University of Natal (Centre for Visual Art) Staff and Post-graduate students' exhibition, Johannes Stegmann Gallery, Bloemfontein.
2000-3: Break the Silence! HIV/AIDS Print Portfolio, Durban Art Gallery, Durban; BAT Centre, Durban; KwaMuhle Museum, Durban; Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg; Iziko South African National Art Gallery, Cape Town; GUS Gallery, Stellenbosch; Gateway Cinema Nouveau Gallery, Durban; MTN, Civic Gallery, Johannesburg.
2000: Natal Arts Trust Biennale 2000, Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg.
2000: Yivume Wethu: A Visual Celebration of the national heritage, NSA Gallery, Durban.
2000: University of Natal (Centre for Visual Art) Staff and Post-graduate students exhibition, Michaelis Galleries, Cape Town.
2000: Break the Silence! HIV/AIDS Billboards around the Durban Metro, Technikon Natal, Durban.
2000-3: Jabulisa 2000: The Art of KwaZulu-Natal, Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg.
1999: Aspirations: Post-graduate students’ exhibition: Centre for Visual Art, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg.
1999: The Right to Celebrate, Durban Art Gallery, Durban.
1999: Izikhwepha Zethu: Our Strength, Durban Art Gallery, Durban.
1999: Ezamandulo: a Heritage Day exhibition, Durban Art Gallery, Durban.
1999: Izwe Lethu: Our Land, African Art Centre, Durban.
1999: Our Heritage, Our Image, The BAT Centre, Durban.
1999: University of Natal Staff and post-graduate students art exhibition, Karen McKerron Gallery, Johannesburg.
1999: Ngezandla Zethu Art and Crafts Bazaar, Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg.
1999-2000: Golden Scenario 2000!!! An annual exhibition organised by Golden Scenario Art Projects, The BAT Centre, Durban.
1998: Inhlabamkhosi/ The Clarion Call, The Empangeni Art and Cultural History (TEACH) Museum, Empangeni.
1998: The 1st Annual MACS (Midlands Art and Crafts Society) Art Auction and Exhibition, Midlands.
1998: Young Artists’ exhibition, Harris Fine Art, Cape Town.
1997: Metropolitan Life Art exhibition, Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg.
1996: Natal Arts Trust 6th Biennale exhibition, Carnegie Art Gallery, Newcastle.
1996: Jabulisa: The Art of KwaZulu-Natal, Standard Bank Annual Arts Festival, Grahamstown.
1994: Northern Natal Artists Exhibition, Carnegie Art Gallery, Newcastle.
1994: A group exhibition, NSA Gallery, Durban.
1994-5: Artists Invite Artists, Durban Art Gallery, Durban.
1993: Zululand Society of Arts: Members’ Exhibition, Eshowe.
Group Exhibitions (international)
2001-3: Break the Silence! HIV/AIDS Print Portfolio, National Gallery of Botswana, Gaborone; National Art Gallery, Windhoek; UCLA Fowler Museum, Los Angeles; Palais des Nation, Geneva; Lamb Gallery, Dundee; Gracefield Art Centre, Dumfries; Barcelona AIDS 2002 Conference, Barcelona.
Commissions
2008: Prof. Extraordinaire, Hans and Babro Engdahl, University of the Western Cape,
Cape Town.
2008: Anette Hoffmann, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town.
2004: Vittorio Meneghelli, Academy Brushware, Germiston.
2002-3: Illustration of annual reports, Lima Rural Development Foundation, Pietermaritzburg.
2001: A barometer for measuring the levels of financial donations to the chest, Community Chest, Pietermaritzburg.
2000: A portrait of King Dingane kaSenzangakhona kaJama, Ncome Museum and Monuments Complex, Dundee.
2000: A mural project in a children’s waiting room, Pietermaritzburg High Court, Pietermaritzburg.
1999: Umgeni Water-Amanzi, Pietermaritzburg.
1999: Sibongile Mkhize, Pietermaritzburg.
1999: A mural depicting Ruben Tholakele Caluza, an African musician & A new supper room project (executed on behalf of Golden Scenario Art Projects), Pietermaritzburg-Msunduzi City Hall, Pietermaritzburg.
1998: Eleanor Isaacs, Pietermaritzburg
Collections
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Administration Museum Services, Pietermaritzburg.
Carnegie Art Gallery, Newcastle.
The Empangeni Art and Cultural History (TEACH) Museum, Empangeni.
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Parliamentary Building, Pietermaritzburg.
The Caversham Centre for Artists and Writers, Balgowan.
Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg.
South African Reserve Bank Collection, Pretoria.
Iziko South African National Gallery (ISANG), Cape Town.
Durban Art Gallery, Durban.
Pretoria Art Museum, Pretoria.
Quarters of the Consulate General of the United States of America, Durban.
National Arts Council of South Africa, Johannesburg.
United Nations Office, Geneva.
Africa Centre for Health and Population Studies, Hluhluwe.
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York City.
UCLA Fowler Museum, Los Angeles.
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Washington D.C.
Durban University of Technology Gallery, Durban.
Youth Strategy executive, Dumfries and Galloway, Southern Uplands.
AMPATH National Laboratory Services, Durban.
National Gallery, Windhoek.
National Cultural History Museum, Pretoria.
Renault South Africa, Johannesburg.
Offices of the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal province, Pietermaritzburg.
MTN Arts Foundation, Johannesburg.
Greatmore Studios, Cape Town.
Private Collections include those of former president Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, former government ministers Mangosuthu Buthelezi and Narend Singh, as well as collectors Barbara Lindop, Walter Lindop, Patrick and Sally Enthoven, Prof Extraordinaire, Hans and Babro Engdahl, and Peter Neal.
Awards
2006-8: Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Doctoral Fellowship, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town.
Presented Papers
2010: Giving Landscape a voice: Photographic dimensions of ‘framing’ power relations in South Africa, 'Bonani Africa Photographic Festival and Conference', South African Museum, Cape Town.
2009: Power Relations in Santu Mofokeng’s Landscape Photography: A Critical Reflection, 'PSHA 4th War and the Everyday Colloquium', Centre for Humanities Research, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town.
2009: Reflections on South African Landscape Photography with particular reference to David Goldblatt, 'Brown Bag Seminar', Interdisciplinary Center for the study of Global Change (ICGC), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
2008: Land and Human Values: Landscape photographs by David Goldblatt. 'PSHA Colloquium', Centre for Humanities Research, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town.
2008: South African Photography: History and concept of landscape, 'Post-graduate Seminar', Centre for Humanities Research, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town.
2007: Critical Analysis of Landscape photographs by David Goldblatt and Santu Mofokeng, 'Symposium', Centre for Humanities Research, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town.
2006: Power Relations in Landscape Photographs by David Goldblatt and Santu Mofokeng, research paper, Centre for Humanities Research, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town.
2002: Isizathu nokubaluleka komsebenzi wokwenziwa komfanekiso-ngqo weSilo sikaZulu uCetshwayo kaMpande, promotional talk, BAT Centre, Durban.
2002: The relationship between Culture and Welfare: Some traditional aspects of the concept of Ubuntu, 'Launch of the Culture and Counselling Centre', Siyahlomula High School, Pietermaritzburg.
2002: The significance of a prestigious commission for the portrait of King Cetshwayo kaMpande of the Zulu, 'Heritage Symposium on Arts, Crafts and Culture', Centre for Visual Art, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg.
2001: Historical Background and significance of the French art (Barbizon Group and Impressionism) in the permanent collection of the Tatham Art Gallery, talk on anniversary of the death of Prince Imperial Louis Napoleon in 1879, Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg.
2001: Witchcraft Images In the Tatham Art Gallery, 'Regional Conference: KwaZulu-Natal Branch of South African Museums Association (SAMA)', Ascot Inn, Pietermaritzburg.
1999: Vuminkosi Zulu: Social and Biblical Themes In His Sculpture and Graphic Work, 'The 15th Annual Conference of the South African Association of Art Historians (SAAAH)', Centre for Visual Art, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg.
1998: Making a Living: An Overview of the Ngezandla Zethu Art and Crafts Project. 'Regional Conference: KwaZulu-Natal Branch of South African Museums Association (SAMA)', KwaMuhle Museum, Durban.
1997: Teaching Art to a Black (African) Child of the post-Apartheid South Africa: A Radical Approach, Women Teachers’ Wing of Natal African Teachers Union (NATU), Impendle Community Hall, Impendle.
1996: Aspects of Landscape Painting in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, 'The 12th Annual Conference of the South African Association of Art Historians (SAAAH)', Department of Fine Arts and History of Art, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg.
Workshop and Lectures
2008: Conductor of official launch, Hands On! Masks Off! workshop series, National Arts Festival, Grahamstown.
1996 - 2006: Teacher, weekly art workshops, Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg.
2004: Exhibition opener, This is Where We Live by Siyabonga Sikhosana, Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg.
2001: Guest lecturer, Stages of Development in Child Art: A lecture offered to local pre-school educators, Keep Pietermaritzburg Clean Association (KPCA), Pietermaritzburg.
2001: Teacher, basic drawing skills workshops, Senzokuhle Women’s Group, Mpophomeni Township, Howick.
2000: Teacher, weekly art workshops for children, Ntuthukoville community, Pietermaritzburg.
1999 - 2000: Teacher, Umthangala art appreciation classes: A series of visual literacy workshops for Pietermaritzburg and greater iNdlovu Region township and rural crafters, iNlovu Region.
1999: Speaker, Indima emelwe ukudlalwa nguthisha ongum-Afrika wangekhulunyaka lamashumi amabili nanye: Ukudlinza okuyinjulabuchopho, A thanks-giving party in respect of the academic achievement of Xolisile Felicitus Buselaphi Makhaye, Orients Heights, Pietermaritzburg.
1999: Teacher, children’s holiday workshop: Paper collage, Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg.
1999 - 2000: Teacher, bi-weekly art workshops for children, Ntuthukoville community, Pietermaritzburg.
1999: Facilitator, children's mural project for Ntuthukoville Community Hall, Pietermaritzburg.
1997 - 1998: Teacher, children’s holiday workshops, Georgetown Library, Pietermaritzburg.
1997 - 1998: Teacher, weekly art workshops for children, SOS Children’s Village, Pietermaritzburg.
1996 - 1997: Teacher, weekly art workshops for inmates, New Pietermaritzburg Prison, Pietermaritzburg.
Committees
2011: Board Member, Artists for Humanity (AFH), Fine Arts Department, Durban University of Technology, Durban.
2011: Award Committee Member, eThekwini Living Legends, Durban.
2008: Selection PanelMember, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum Award, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum, Port Elizabeth.
2007 - 2010: Chairperson of Visual Art Advisory Panel, National Arts Council of South Africa.
2007 - 2010: Multi-Disciplinary Advisory Panel Member, National Arts Council of South Africa.
2006 - 2010: Board Member of National Arts Council of South Africa.
1999 - 2006: Board of Trustees Member, Vuminkosi Zulu Family Trust, Pietermaritzburg.
1999 - 2006: Exhibitions Committee Member, Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg.
2005: Judging Panel Member, Getting KwaZulu-Natal Learning Competition, Department of Education, Pietermaritzburg.
2005: Member, Msunduzi Arts and Culture Council Forum, Pietermaritzburg.
2005 - 2006: Shop Steward, Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU), Msunduzi Municipality, Pietermaritzburg.
2002: Selection Panel Member, Gordon Verhoef & Krause Art in the Park, Pietermaritzburg.
2002: Selection Panel Member, Environmental awareness Children’s Art Competition, Golden Horse Casino, Pietermaritzburg.
2002: Judging Panel Member, KwaZulu-Natal Prisons Visual Art Competition, National Institute for Crime Prevention (NICRO), KwaZulu-Natal.
2002: Judge, Sabalala Nolwazi Youth Project Art Comptetion, Natal Museum, Pietermaritzburg.
1999 - 2001: Management Board Member, Jambo Arts Centre, Pietermaritzburg.
1999 - 2001: Executive Committee Chairman, Golden Scenario Art Projects, Pietermaritzburg and KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
1999 - 2000: Secretary, Pietermaritzburg regional committee of the KwaZulu-Natal Art and Crafts Council, Pietermaritzburg.
1999: Judging Panel Member, Mural Paintings Competition, Sobantu Creche and Pre-school, Pietermaritzburg.
1999: Judging Panel Member, The 50th Anniversary Children’s Competition, SOS Children’s Village, Pietermaritzburg.
1999: Judging Panel Member, Children’s Day Art Competition, Keep Pietermaritzburg Clean Association, Pietermaritzburg.
1998: Judging Panel Member, Crafts Council Fair, Durban Exhibition Centre, Durban.
1997 - 1999: Founder, Member, Projects Co-ordinator, Golden Scenario Art Projects, Pietermaritzburg and KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
1997 - 1999: Selection Committee Member, Gordon Verhoef & Krause Art in the Park, Pietermaritzburg.
1996 - 1998: Chairman, KwaZulu-Natal Midlands sub-committee of the Craft Council of South Africa, Midlands.
1997: Judge, World Environmental Day Children’s Art Competition, Ambleton Community Primary School, Pietermaritzburg.
1996: Selection Panel Member, Jabulisa: The Art of KwaZulu-Natal Exhibition, Grahamstown.
1994 - 1996: Acquisitions Committee Member, Carnegie Art Gallery, Newcastle.
1991: Treasurer, Fine Arts Society (FASOC), Department of Fine Arts, University of Fort Hare, Alice.
Workshops Attended
2002: Dead or alive?, Symposium on heritage in Pietermaritzburg, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg.
2001: Changes in emphasis in UK museums from collection based work, to learning, access and combating social exclusion, Seminar paper by Mark Taylor (event organized by the South African Museums Association, SAMA), KwaMuhle Museum, Durban.
2001: Indigenous Knowledge Workshop, Seminar, Technikon Natal, Durban.
2000: Workshop on outcomes-based education II, Voortrekker, Tatham and Natal museums, Pietermaritzburg.
1999: Printmaking Workshop II: lithography and screen printing, The Caversham Press, Balgowan.
1999: Workshop on outcomes-based education I, KwaMuhle Museum (facilitated by Darryl Houghton, Department of Education, organised by SAMA), Durban.
1999: Open-air visual art workshop, Tatham Art Gallery (organized by the Golden Scenario Art Projects), Pietermaritzburg.
1998: Potato printing on fabric workshop, Old Presbyterian Church, Pietermaritzburg.
1997: Printmaking Workshop: lithography, screen printing, lino-cutting and etching, The Caversham Press, Balgowan.
Other Contributions
2004: Author, Vuminkosi Zulu: A Critical Analysis of Social and Biblical Themes in his Art catalogue essay for 'Veterans of KwaZulu-Natal' group exhibition, Durban Art Gallery, Durban.
2004: Author, Social, political and cultural aspects of the art of Trevor Makhoba in the collection of the Tatham Art Gallery: A critical analysis and assessment, catalogue essay for Trevor Makhoba's yet unrealised posthumous exhibition, Durban Art Gallery, Durban.
2002: Author, Spiritual Connotations of Magic/Witchcraft: A biblical perspective, catalogue essay for 'Untold tales of magic: Abelumbi', Durban Art Gallery, Durban.
2000: Yehoshua comforting an AIDS victim (print), presented to Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, by Artists For Human Rights Trust Committee on 11th October, Technikon Natal, Durban.
2000: C0-curator, Organiser, Media Writer, Yivume Wethu: a visual celebration of the national heritage group exhibition, N.S.A. Gallery, Durban.
1999 - 2000: Co-curator, Organiser, Media Writer, Golden Scenario 2000!!! group exhibition, Menzi Mchunu Gallery; Democratic Gallery; BAT Centre Trust; Durban Harbour, Durban.
1999: Logo Designer, Isizinda samaDeke, an inter-provincial organisation aimed at maintaining solidarity among the Makhaye clan, South Africa.
1999: Compiler, April-June Golden Scenario Art Projects newsletter, Pietermaritzburg.
1999: Illustrator, Fidelities V poetry magazine cover, Pietermaritzburg.
1998: Author, catalogue essay for Vuminkosi Zulu's Retrospective Exhibition, Standard Bank National Arts Festival, Grahamstown.
1998: Co-ordinator, Inhlabamkhosi-The Clarion Call group exhibition,Empangeni Art and Cultural History Museum, Empangeni.
1997: Co-ordinator, Catalogue Compiler, Metropolitan Life group exhibition, Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg.
1997: Designer, Golden Scenario Art Projects logo, Pietermaritzburg.
1996: Co-founder, Golden Scenario Art Projects, Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg.
Texts
Conservation with Mario Pissarra, Making sense of what landscape is about, ASAI, 2021.