EAP X FWA Class of 2023

Amanda Indiego Botha is a multi-faceted artist from Gugulethu, Cape Town. Indiego practices printmaking, graphic design, jewellery making and creative writing. They first showed interest in sketching in primary school influenced by their dad and brother. In 2020 they taught themselves the art of bead making which led them to start their company called Kwelinye Icala,it was then that Indiego found their calling in art was to tell African stories that serve as a reminder to one to reconnect and have a stronger relationship with their heritage and roots.

In 2021 they enrolled to the College of Cape Town for art and design. They first exhibited in 2021 at an Cape Town Arts Fair exhibition curated by Bianca Mgoza Baker, they have shown at Art B gallery and their work is currently showing at Umphakathi exhibition at 16 on Lerotholi. Botha has competed on the Lucky Star Colab show currently showing on Mzansi Magic.

Contact Number: 0683173958

IG: @indiego.botha

A revolutionary and modern take on the African woman. Johnson uses her personal experience as a fellow woman of colour to create powerful feminine portraits seeking to counter social stigmas and media stereotypes of African women. Amy Jane Johnson, born in 1997, is a self-taught visual artist from Cape Town, South Africa. She indulges in a variety of art mediums specialising in watercolour and oil portraiture.Art has been a lifelong passion of hers, one which she constantly tries to pursue.

Her monochromatized watercolour portraits are emblazoned with gold leaf to transform her iconic subject into contemporary royalty. 'A black woman's hair is her crown'- and She conveys this message effortlessly by depicting the majestic qualities of African features.

By maintaining elegance, sophistication, and liberation, she achieves her artistic goals. She hopes to continue her creative journey, recreating the inherent beauty that lies latent in every woman.

Contact Number: 0658587202

IG: @a.jane_art

Born and raised in the serene town of Tsolo in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, Anam Nxelewa's artistic journey began early. Currently calling Khayelitsha in Cape Town home, Nxelewa's life has been a tapestry woven with a passion for visual expression.

After completing high school, Nxelewa found his artistic sanctuary within the embrace of OPEN-Heart STUDIOS, an organization centered on visual art, nestled in Mfuleni. It was here that his creative spirit found its calling, honing in on a special focus: the resilient young hearts of South Africa, determined to rise above adversity.

With the stroke of his acrylic brush, Nxelewa translates his observations of the struggles faced by these young souls onto canvas. His art carries a message that resonates deep within us all – a call to recognize the potential within these children, the torchbearers of tomorrow, who deserve an environment that nurtures their growth.

Nxelewa's canvas is his stage for hope, painted with vibrant highlights against the backdrop of dark challenges. Through his work, he not only provokes contemplation but also kindles the spark of optimism for a brighter future for these young lives.

Contact Number: 0716179230

Anovuyo Mali (Lapis) (b.1998) in the Eastern Cape, eQonce. Is a Visual Artist/ illustrator currently based in Cape Town. Her work is a reflection of her inner volition, sense of play and a medium for personal expression. Mali's artistic focus centers on portraiture and the female form, where she uses oil pastels with a masterful touch. Her creations burst forth with vibrant colors and bold lines, capturing the essence of her subjects Having recently completed the MMBA program at Bridges for Music Academy, her mural graced the AfrikaBurn Festival 2023. In recognition of her emerging talent, she was on Thami Mnyele top 100 in 2021 and Sasol New Signature top 100 in 2019 She holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts degree, majoring in Printmaking, at Nelson Mandela University.

Contact Number: 0720636473

IG: LAPIS_YA_ZULLA

Aphilile Matinise (b.1999 March 25, Cape Town, South Africa) is a self-taught ballpoint pen artist based in Cape Town. He also studied 2 academic years in Fine Art Practise at Rhodes University’s school of Art. His work centres around gender-based and domestic violence, drawing attention to the struggles faced by many impacted by such violence. Through his artworks, he highlights the tension in our personal and political lives due to this tense and traumatic issue.

He creates bold cross and hatch lines and striking compositions to create powerful images that evoke a fierce emotional response. His artworks not only aim to inspire awareness but also to motivate those who suffer to take a stand and gain control of their lives. His work conveys his understanding of the universality of human suffering, compassion for the victims of violence, and an unflinching commitment to effecting social change.

Contact Number: 0640083816

IG: shaggykinglukers_art  

Makhador Ayabonga Ntshongwana (b.1995 Umthatha, Eastern Cape) is a practicing visual artist and a muralist who is searching for an idea of a society without boundaries. He wants to mend boundaries between human nature and unite them. Having grown up in the Transkei village where he at least visit once a year, Ntshongwana digs deep into his experience of the transition between the rural and urban values.

He draws his inspiration from past experience and paints figures. His black and white figures are consciously seeking answers, so as it create a sense of realism. He seeks to question the core of our identity as humans. He investigate the nature of humanity where our differences can only be skin deep. He celebrates women and investigate the role of women in contemporary as he was raised by a single mother and believes every man has a mother.

"Above willingness and acceptance there is Love and Peace. I art with pure intentions on the inside to keep my soul alive" - Makhador Ntshongwana

Contact: 0640760656

IG: KHADOR_PUBLIKA

Ayanda Lesego File born 7 March 1999 is a Photographer, studied at the

College of Cape Town. Behind the lens , Ayanda Lesego known as Miss A , uses photography as a tool for expression and healing. Her photographs transport the viewer on a magical journey of endless possibilities. To her, photography represents more than just images displayed on a wall. They serve a greater purpose. Capturing the stories of generation to another, she believes that photography has the power to share untold stories and heal painful experiences while also igniting the remembrance of beautiful memories. Ayanda had her first exhibition in 2022 at the Sendinggesting Museum. Followed by her second exhibition 2023 at the Art b gallery.

Contact: 0817724398

IG: @miss.aphotography

Baxolile Lugwali is a 21 years old who lives in Mandela park at a township in Khayelitsha .He grew up in a corrupt area witnessing crimes daily since at a young age. He loves music especifically the Hip Hop genre. He creates artworks based on lyrics of the songs he enjoys listening and sometimes paints spontaneously according to his emotions. He's a mixed media Artist and yet a dominant painter, he displays a theme of vulnerability, pain,love and wealth in his artworks. He creates scenery and figurative figures with intuition.

He was introduced to Art in High school at the children's art center. What got him interested in art was colors texture, stories and the meaning and he also strives to improve his skills and ideas for his creativity and love for art. He makes art to escape insecurities and turn that into security. He's received a visual art certificate in 2020 at Zonnebloem campus, Cape Town.

Contact:  0660868955

IG: moneylugwali

Bernice Miya who is South African, Zulu, and originally from KZN (Kwa-Zulu Natal), currently lives in the city of Cape Town. She has been living in the city for over 10 years, and as a visual artist she explores in various mediums in her artworks. These include oil, acrylic and water colour paint, to using charcoal, pen or pencil. Her work has variation when it comes to subject matter and style. She is still in the process of identifying a genre in her artwork that sets her apart from other artists and their work.

Her artwork will mostly influenced by realism and is also abstract with everyday man-made structures that are used with figures of unknown people or a person. Sometimes it’s a portrait of a well-known person or someone ordinary like a family member. When looking at her artwork it evokes a sense of mystery, she prefers providing the audience a platform to engage with her works as they analyse it to share what they think the subject matter is about. Through the affiliation with EAP (Emerging artists program) she has sold one of her abstract pieces at an exhibition, the art piece called ‘influences’ was also chosen to be exhibited at the Iziko Art Gallery in 2010 , before being exhibited and purchased in 2022.

Contact: 0828029123

IG: Bernicemiya

Bevan Blankenberg (b.1999, Cape Town) is a South African artist who resides and produces work in Cape Town. Blankenberg interrogates the themes of labour, masculinity, memory, and violence through the materiality of sculpture. Through the transformative nature of wood, bronze and concrete, his projects hold a constant tension hostage. Blankenberg uses childhood memory and oral histories informed by his immediate environment as a conceptual point of departure. He seeks to create a dialogue with empathy and understanding by subverting symbology associated with childhood and underground culture.

Blankenberg graduated at the Michaelis School of Fine Art, UCT, where he majored in sculpture and won the Michaelis Prize and Simon Gerson Award in his final year. He teaches sculpture part-time at UCT and has participated in a handful of group shows.

Contact: 0845570081

IG: @blankenberg_studios

Cassian Robbertze is an emerging artist from Cape Town, South Africa, specialising in sculpture. During COVID Lockdown he expanded his sculpture knowledge to include less traditional mediums such as digital sculpture and 3d printing. In 2021, he completed his Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art at the University of Cape Town, under the supervision of Jane Alexander.

Before studying he worked as an assistant sculptor to Jean Doyle and as an Art Tutor at Rathkeale College in New Zealand. He has participated in various Art Fairs including CTAF2023 and a number of group shows including “Untitled 9.9” at 99Loop Street Gallery. In 2021 he took part in the ArtLabs mentorship program with Latitudes, with Dr Willie Bester as his mentor.

The Art Bank of South Africa has acquired a number of his artworks which are now on permanent display at the Oliewenhuis Museum in Bloemfontein. In 2023 he was selected by the Art Bank to be mentored by Niëll Jonker. Cassian grew up in Cape Town and continues to practice art at his studio in Salt River. Alongside his own practice, he is an assistant sculptor to Mary Sibande as well as a part time sculpture lecturer at UCT.

Contact:  0634744537

IG: casart22

Thursday, 7 September - Saturday, 9 September 2023 | The Labia
PRESENTED BY REALNESS INSTITUTE

Hailing from Russia, Diana, also known as Sailor Tinkerbell, has mastered the arts of graffiti, graphic design, and DJing. Her journey led her from Europe and Asia to her current home in Cape Town as of 2022. The Cape Town Lancia Museum, ComicCon, WeLoveSummer Festival, Rollercade Park, CivAir Helicopters, Tiki Tomb, Red&Yellow School, Mojo Market, and Afrikaburn all proudly display her creative touch. Diana's portfolio is a testament to her versatility and skill, with each project showcasing her unique artistic perspective. Her work resonates across continents and events, reflecting a boundless imagination that continues to inspire audiences. As a dynamic force in the creative scene, Diana's contributions enrich the spaces she engages with, leaving an indelible mark on everything from museums to festivals.

Contact:  0633819825

IG: sailortinkerbell

Elizabeth Wood’s aim, through her art, is to draw attention to the rich biodiversity found in the fynbos plant kingdom, the smallest yet most diverse plant kingdom in the world, and the need for its conservation. She has developed a unique technique. She first creates ecoprints by boiling fynbos material sandwiched between water colour paper. The image of the plant transferred to the paper inspires the artwork. She uses these as a substrate for her fynbos paintings in mixed media using gouache, chalk pastel, pencil crayon and ink to create a layered effect. She also uses the ecoprints as collage in her landscape paintings of the Cape mountains. Elizabeth was born and works in Cape Town.

She has curated her own solo show, “Featuring Fynbos” in 2020 and has taken part in a collaborative exhibition with her art teacher Karin Morphew entitled “Resilient” in 2022.

Contact: 0833687382

IG: elizabethwoodartist

Eza HELDER Ngam (b. 2003, Wedela, Gauteng) is a self-taught photographer who uses imagery, digital manipulation, poetry, and storytelling to explore contemporary issues such as healing, poverty,love, trauma, mental health, vulnerability, sin, and spirituality. His interest in art began at a young age,with drawing and writing being the first mediums to which he was introduced.

 During the 2020 Covid lockdown, he was especially drawn to photography. He channelled his boredom and insecurities into creation. He is currently based in Cape Town, where he is finishing his BSc Computer Science degree at the University of the Western Cape. With all of his tertiary experiences and having to be away from his family, his experiences are highly visible in his art. He continues to present stories that everybody can connect to in the hopes of enlightening and inspiring others. His art has been shown at AVA Art

Gallery, Yebo! Art Gallery in Swaziland, and in BONA magazine.

Contact: 0781656530

IG: @yourstruly.helder