Themba Mkhangeli, a 29-year-old artist based in Cape Town, captures the essence of home and community in his artwork, Ubushushu Bekhaya (The warmth of home). Created with a ballpoint pen on paper, this piece measures 87 cm x 68 cm and reflects Themba’s deep personal experiences and societal observations.
In this Q&A, he shares insights into his artistic journey, the inspiration behind his work, and valuable advice for emerging artists.
Tell us what your reaction was when you received the news that your work had been selected?
[THEMBA MKHANGELI]: I was super excited! It’s always one of my big dreams to achieve such achievements in the art competition/art world. It means a lot to me as a self-taught artist. I know it’s not easy to get this far in any art competition.
I was super excited! It’s always one of my big dreams to achieve such achievements in the art competition/art world. It means a lot to me as a self-taught artist. I know it’s not easy to get this far in any art competition.
[THEMBA MKHANGELI]: It took me so many years to try to develop and master the medium, also to prepare for this competition due to its standards. Last year, I went all out aiming to get the overall prize, but it was not time or enough. This year I want to surprise and challenge myself to do more and better than last year because winning this competition will add a powerful value to my CV and help me become the artist I want to be, not forgetting the opportunities, especially the solo exhibition opportunity. When you want something wholeheartedly, you fight for it many times, not once. Last year it was my first time entering the competition. I thought, why not try again?
Tell us about your journey as an artist this past year after being crowned the runner-up in 2023.
[THEMBA MKHANGELI]: I gained more opportunities, followers, and art investors who are supporting me personally and my work.
What have been some of the highlights since last year?
[THEMBA MKHANGELI]: I was lucky to do many radio, newspaper, TV, and magazine interviews and features. After I was announced as the runner-up, the South African Reserve Bank launched the new upgraded money designs, which include my R2 coin design. This year I got a big project from African Bank through Makgati Molebatsi, who was the MC last year at the Sasol New Signatures 2023 award ceremony.
Has the competition opened doors or helped you as an artist in the past year?
[THEMBA MKHANGELI]: It really has helped me and opened so many doors and opportunities for me, and I am still hoping to get more opportunities from the competition this year.
Tell us a little about why you created the piece you submitted?
[THEMBA MKHANGELI]: I’m always inspired by nature and things happening around it, negative and positive impacts. I created this piece to touch people’s souls and to do better than last year in the competition. Grandmothers are the strong pillars who hold the communities together. In my village, young people leave for cities in search of jobs and opportunities. It is grandmothers who remain and raise the grandchildren. It is, however, saddening to observe what happens to those strong women when they are older and vulnerable. They become subjected to violence such as rape, witchcraft sniffing, murder, attacks, and robbery. Their social grant money is stolen from them. The loss of my grandmother and mother has left a gaping hole in my life. I no longer feel the same sense of comfort and belonging when I return to my village. The memories of my grandmother’s love, warmth, and care are now bittersweet, as I am reminded of the pain and suffering she endured. The lines on her face, the sparkle in her eyes, and the texture of her skin tell a story of a life well-lived but also one marked by hardship and injustice. As someone who was raised by my grandmother, I have a deep appreciation for the sacrifices she made for me. Her love and guidance shaped me into the person I am today, and her absence has left a void that cannot be filled.
Have you been experimenting with mediums, or is ballpoint pen your go-to?
[THEMBA MKHANGELI]: Ballpoint pen is my favorite medium, but I have been exploring other mediums a lot. I’m comfortable working with any medium.
When people view your work, what reaction/response are you hoping to create?
[THEMBA MKHANGELI]: A WOW reaction! I want them to connect and engage with the artwork. I want them to ask different questions about the process and the message I’m trying to convey. I want to catch the viewer’s eye so that they can connect with the feelings of that particular subject. I mostly focus on the details and features which tell a story, like the eyes.
Why do you think your work was chosen as one of the winning works again?
[THEMBA MKHANGELI]: When you want to do better, you put more effort into what you are doing. This year, I found ways to improve from last year. Last year, the scale was 2x bigger than the one I did now, but I spent equal time on this work because of the amount of detail and the process I took to build the artwork and the statement together. I also used a different background to give it a more pop-art feel and the contrast to enhance the portrait. My work is very unique and original; even the way I’m using the medium is different and mastered.
What is your advice to emerging artists and how they can progress in their careers the way you have?
[THEMBA MKHANGELI]: Patience is key to art. As an emerging artist, you need to understand the story you want to create with your artwork, find your own style, preferably a medium, and invest more time in your craft. Take any opportunities coming your way; every opportunity is very important to build your career. Stay focused and be willing to learn. Failure is a good lesson to success; learn from it, and move on or try again.
Anything else you would like to add?
[THEMBA MKHANGELI]: I would like to say thank you so much to all the management, judges, organizers, stakeholders, and artists who made this competition possible and an amazing opportunity for everyone. I feel honored to be part of the winners’ circle of Sasol New Signatures 2024 again. I wish every artist could take this competition/opportunity seriously and understand what a positive impact it has on one’s career after your work has been selected as a finalist. And to those who didn’t make it through this year, please never give up, learn, and come back stronger, and have positive energy because yonke into inexesha layo. Thank you once again.
Themba Mkhangeli’s journey is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the profound impact of art in addressing personal and societal narratives. His work not only honours the memory of his grandmother but also serves as a voice for those in his community.
Featured Image(s) & Interview Source: Supplied
Leave a Reply