VELAPHI MZIMBA

(b. 1959 Soweto, South Africa)

WORK

Velaphi Mzimba is known for his larger-than-life portraits and still lifes. He has developed a technique that is entirely his own and instantly recognizable. His large canvases on textured surfaces are full of expressiveness and humanity. His subjects gaze as you in such a particular way that afterwards you feel as if you have encountered the person depicted. Recently, Mzimba has started to depict Zama Zama miners (illegal gold miners), often with landscapes in the background. He has also been focusing on portraits of children and women – some large-scale oils and some smaller works on paper. He is also known for more eclectic images featuring portraits and objects all in one composition and has made numerus sculptures, graphic works and paintings on found objects.

BIOGRAPHY

Born in Soweto in September 1959, Velaphi Mzimba's colourful paintings reflect the vibrancy and rapidly evolving environment of contemporary South Africa. Although he was deeply involved in the struggle for liberation against apartheid, his work is infused with optimism and humanity. At the age of nine, Mzimba discovered his love of drawing and was encouraged by his father. At the age of sixteen he joined Mofolo Arts Centre in Soweto where he learned drawing, oil painting and pastels with Dan Rakgoathe. Due to the 1976 uprising, the school was closed. Mzimba became involved in the protests. Two years later he won a bursary to study at the Art Foundation under the late Bill Ainslie. In 1981, Mzimba had his first solo exhibition at the Carlton Hotel – in a gallery that was run by the South African Association of Arts. He has been working as a professional artist based in Johannesburg ever since. Mzimba's work graces many public, corporate and private collections worldwide. He lives with his family in Johannesburg.

CV

Selected Exhibitions

2016  

Opening Gallery Exhibition, Group Show, CIRCA Gallery, London, UK

Reality Check, Group exhibition, Everard Read, Cape Town

Winter Collection, Group exhibition, Everard Read, Cape Town

2014  

Solo Exhibition, Everard Read, Johannesburg, South Africa     

People and Places, group exhibition, Imibala Gallery in association with Everard Read, South Africa

Benetton Small Canvas Exhibition touring group show, throughout Europe and the US, including the UN Headquarters in New      York      

2013  

100, group show, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa     

Possessed, group show, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa     

2012  

Winter Exhibition, group show, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa     

2010  

Khumalo, Mzimba, Dyaloyi, three-man exhibition, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa     

Solo Exhibition, Everard Read Johannesburg, South Africa     

View from the South, group exhibition, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa     

2006  

Solo Exhibition, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa     

Solo Exhibition, Everard Read, Johannesburg,South Africa                 

Recent Works, solo exhibition in London, Rebecca Hossack Gallery, South Africa     

2005  

Solo Exhibition, Sculpture, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa     

2004  

Solo Exhibition, Paintings, Everard Read, Johannesburg, South Africa     

2002  

Solo Exhibition, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa     

2000  

ArtLondon, Duke of York’s Headquarters, Kings Road, London, UK

1999    

Participated in ArtLondon Fair, Chelsea Barracks, London, UK

Solo Exhibition, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

1995  

African Spirits, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

Solo Exhibition, LFK Gallery, Hong Kong

1994  

Unity from Diversity, solo exhibition, Natalie Knight Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

Group Show, Knight Galleries International at the World Trade Centre, Toronto, "Windows on the New   South Africa". Sponsored by SAA

1993  

The Spirit of Africa, solo show at the Natalie Knight Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

Cultural diversity, group show, Natalie Knight Gallery Johannesburg, South Africa

South African Art, group show, World Trade Centre in Toronto curated by the Knight Galleries             International

1992  

Group Exhibition, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

1990  

African Encounters, Knight Galleries, International in Toronto, Canada

1987  

Solo Exhibition, Windhoek, Namibia

1984  

First Solo International Show in Groomsport, Northern Ireland

1981              

First Solo Show at the Carlton Hotel, "South African Art"

PUBLIC COLLECTIONS

Fort Hare University, African Museum Sanlam, Sancorp, EMI, Anglo American,

Hunt Lascaris South Africa,   Merrill Lynch South Africa,   J.C.I. S. Africa,   Alexander Forbes.

INTERNATIONAL COLLECTIONS

The Dallas Museum, USA

Canada

Munich and Frankfurt, Germany

Australia

UK

Japan

Geneva, Switzerland

South Africa