Biography 

Born in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal (1996), where he went to H.P Ngwenya Primary School until 2009. Then in 2010 moved to Soweto to live with his mother and went to Tetelo Secondary School, where his love for art was ignited. After finishing matric he went to study Town and Regional Planning but dropped out and went to Artist Proof Studio to sharpen his skills and pursue his passion of becoming an artist. The similarities in these two townships (eThekwini and Soweto) is what inspires him to make work that reflects the people and characters that make up the neighbourhoods. 

Artist Statement 

When I was creating my work, I was really looking at cultures and styles of people specific to the area and neighborhood in which I currently live. I came to live with my mother in Soweto when I was 14 from Natal. It was a culture-shock especially the language. It was here that I learned different languages and was exposed to other cultures that make up the community. Drawing and art connected me to others. My first friend was Sotho. 

Soweto is a very diverse community consisting of various interrelated cultures. I see the struggles that teenagers face today, most growing up without fathers. I have also noticed that there are more adults on the street during the day indicating a rise in unemployment. The pressures of unemployment and the need for survival impacts directly on youth and young people who are losing hope.      

The butterfly motif in my work is a symbol of change and conquering circumstance. It refers to the idea of morphing into a better self. The butterfly represents hope and a further assertion that we don’t have to forever be at the mercy of current circumstances.