(b.1986 Springs, South Africa)

Bambo Sibiya's artistic practice embodies a nuanced fusion of traditional printmaking techniques, in concert with the expressive mediums of acrylic and charcoal on canvas. Born in Springs, South Africa, in  the year 1986, Sibiya's work transcends mere artistic exploration; it acts as a radical reframing of the preconceived notions surrounding race, social constructs, and cultural identities. His creative oeuvre seeks to engender novel imaginaries of blackness, a concept central to his artistic lexicon.

This intersectional topography, a hallmark of Sibiya's creative journey, is profoundly ingrained in the fabric of his work. It functions as a palimpsest, a canvas bearing the imprints of personal histories, which are inscribed and reinscribed with every brushstroke and gesture. Sibiya poetically elucidates his approach, stating: "In the realm of art-making, I embark upon a voyage through the labyrinth of my own subjectivity. Here, cultural and religious references converge with practices that have been an eternal presence in my life: drawing, printmaking, and painting. My fascination with the materiality of these practices and the profound blackness they encapsulate wavers between an intuitive, tactile engagement with a myriad of substances and a formal inquiry into how these materials metamorphose within diverse contexts. Much like the materials themselves, I find myself in a constant state of evolution, exploring the inherent potential for transformation."

EDUCATION

Certificate in Fine Arts from Mbira School of Music and Art in 2000

Certificate in Art and Design from Benoni Technical College in 2006

Programme In professional Printmaking from Artist Proof Studio, Newtown, Johannesburg Art Awards

AWARDS

Ekurhuleni Art Award Finalist in 2008

“Top Student of the Year” Award at Artist Proof Studio in 2009

Thami mnyele Award, Semifinalist in 2009

Thami Mnyele Award, Merit Award, Ekurhuleni Art on Paper in 2010

Thami Mnyele top 10 in 2011

Semifinalist in the ABSA Atelier top 100 in 2010

Finalist in the ABSA Atelier top 10 Awards in 2011

BRT Public Art competition in 2011

ABSA Atelier Merit Awards in 2012

Winner of the Absa Atelier Gerald Sekoto Award 2012

Arts and Culture Trust Award 2012

Commissions and Public Art

Johannesburg Development Agency 2010

BRT Public Art Consortium in 2011

Anglo American Gold Ashanti 2012

BASA ( Business and Art South Africa ) in 2013

Springs Art Gallery art in 2013

Ogilvy & Mather in 2013

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

Ngemva Kokoqubuka, Everard Read Circa, 2024

Khumbula Ekhaya ( home Sick) Gallery2, 2013

Human Spirit Art Exhibition ABSA Gallery, 2013

Umlambo uzwiwa ngedondolo traveling exhibition, ABSA Gallery, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria, Cape Town,

Johannesburg, 2015

Tales of Migration, Red Room art gallery, 2017

Freedom did not just come it was invited, Everard Read Circa, Johannesburg, 2018

Slow down tiger you not ready yet, Everard Read Circa, 2020

INTERNATIONAL SOLO EXHIBITIONS 

International Group Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, Middle East in 2011

Khumbula Ekhaya ( home Sick) II, in Seychelles Kenyan House Gallery

Umlambo uzwiwa ngedondolo, Botswana 2015

Ubuntu Ngabantu, London ( UK) Jack Bell art gallery 2017

Fabien Fryns Fine Art , Dubai - Flamboyant souls - 14 November 2022

Black Wall Street gallery - New York- New Gold. 5 January 2023

Selected local group exhibitions

“Ekasi” exhibition, Spring Art Gallery in 2008

“30/30” exhibition at Springs Art Gallery in 2009

“Unfolding” exhibition at Artist Proof Studio in 2009

“Seeking” exhibition at Artist Proof Studio in 2010

“People and Spaces” exhibition at Gallery 2, Johannesburg in 2010

“Thami Mnyele” Award exhibition at the Art Centre, Ekurhuleni in 2010

“Art Fair” at Sandton Convention Centre, Sandton in 2011

“David Brown” exhibition at Sandton Art Gallery in 2011

“Arts on Main Canteen” exhibition at Arts on Main Gallery, Johannesburg in 2011

“Belledewar Advertising” exhibition, Belle Dewar National offices, Sandton in 2011

“I Store Art” exhibition at Apple Mac national offices, Sandton in 2011

“Gray Advertising” exhibition in Sandton in 2011

“Sharon Sampson Studio” exhibition at Illovo in 2011

"Coming of Age" exhibition at Johannesburg art gallery with Artist Proof Studio in 2012

"Coming of Age II " exhibition at Gallery 2 2012

“Art Fair” at Sandton Convention Centre, Sandton in 2012

"Art child" exhibition at Desing Indaba with Absa Gallery 2012

“David Brown” exhibition at Sandton Art Gallery in 2012

Guns and rains 2014

Arts and Culture trust 2014

Turban ArtFair 2015

KKNK Absa, 2015

Jazzuary art exhibition in collaboration with Khaya FM, RES gallery 2016

International Art Fairs

London Original Print Fair 2024

154 London Art Fair 2017

154 New York Art Fair 2018

154 London Artfair 2018

AKAA Paris Artfair 2018

BIENNALES 

Beijing Biennale 2015

AUCTIONS

ArtAngels Auction 2014

ArtAngels Auction 2015

COLLECTIONS

Pinpoint one Human resources

PPC LTD

Bidvest Group

Johannesburg Development Agency

Ukhozi FM

Sasol Limited

Rand Merchant Bank

Artist Proof Studio

Business and Art South Africa

ABSA Bank

Spier South Africa

Sasol Corporate Collection in Mozambique

Johannesburg Art Gallery

Millennium Hotel in Abhu Dabi

Khaya Fm

Sasol

Tasha Smith Collection