Thokozani Madonsela
Biography
Thokozani Madonsela was born on the 28th of February 1988 in Daggakraal – Mpumalanga, South Africa. Madonsela Graduated from Artist Proof Studio in Printmaking, where he obtained a certificate. He is a mural artist, painter and printmaker. Madonsela specialises in different mediums such as charcoal drawings, painting and mosaic art. He has participated in a number of group exhibitions such as the SA Taxi Foundation Art Awards and Absa L’Atelier to name a few; he has also been involved in special projects and commissions.
Artist Statement
Over the years, my work has been most recognizable for its iconic nude, faceless, often laughing figures. This has been a bold statement I have used to depict neutrality in human identity. Through these figures, one cannot tell what gender, economic status, or age the people I represent are. This has allowed everyone who looks at my work to take it as personally as they see fit, seeing themselves through the experiences of the figures on the canvas. This year, I have not veered far from my iconic figures. This body of work will tell everyday stories of people in the City we reside in. With the use of various accessories, I wish to depict lives from serval walks of life, with the emphasis that we are all visitors in the urban spaces we have grown to call home, that none of us really belong here.
In continuation with the use of my figures to represent the everyday human, I have introduced bold accessories to illuminate the stories and experiences they each have to share. Starting with the introduction of the high/bar stool, which is a graduation from the bench they usually sat on before. This is a slightly more comfortable seat yet still not necessarily a depiction of wealth or success. It does however elevate my figures to a point of sight amongst others. The elevation could represent either a better financial standing and comfort or a higher social status, elevated enough to speak for others. Another remarkable addition is the t-shirts some of them have on.
Exhibitions
2012 iReflect, Artist Proof Studio, Johannesburg (Group Exhibition)
2013 Absa L’Atelier, Absa Towers Art Gallery, Johannesburg (Group Exhibition)
Dream, Artist Proof Studio (Group Exhibition)
Thami Mnyelefine Arts Awards, Coen Scholtz Recreation Centre (Group Exhibition)
2014 Devote, Rubixcube Art Gallery (Group Exhibition)
30/30 Ekurhuleni Contemporary Group Exhibition, Springs Art Gallery, Johannesburg
Absa L’Atelier, Absa Towers Art Gallery, Johannesburg (Group Exhibition)
Inheritance, Cosmopolitan Building, Johannesburg (Group Exhibition)
Thami Mnyele Fine Arts Awards, Coen Scholtz Recreation Centre, Johannesburg (Group Exhibition)
2015 Absa L’Atelier, Absa Towers Art Gallery, Johannesburg (Group Exhibition)
Emjondolo, Curiocity Backpackers, Johannesburg (Solo Exhibition)
SA Taxi Foundation Art Awards, Lizamore & Associates Gallery, Johannesburg (Group Exhibition)
2016 SA Taxi Foundation Art Awards, Lizamore & Associates Gallery, Johannesburg (Group Exhibition)
InterProv Group Exhibition, the Art Room, Johannesburg (Group Exhibition)
2017 Absa L’Atelier, Absa Towers Art Gallery, Johannesburg (Group Exhibition)
Spring Exhibition, Cherie De Villiers, Johannesburg (Group Exhibition)
Turbine Art Fair, The Art Room, Johannesburg (Art Fair)
2018 Turbine Art Fair, One Art Gallery, Johannesburg (Art Fair)
Emergence, MM Art House, Johannesburg (Group Exhibition)
Achievements
2017 Absa L’Atelier Art Competition - Nominated in the top 100 for the work titled “Isaiah”
2016 SA Taxi Foundation Art Awards – Nominated in the top 30 for the work titled “Isaiah”
2015 SA Taxi Foundation Art Awards–Nominated in the top 30 for the work titled “Isaiah”
2014 Absa L’Atelier Art Competition - Nominated in the top 100 for the work titled “Gone but not forgotten”
Thami Mnyele Fine Art Awards – Art on paper merit award for the work titled “Ithuna”
