​Contemporary South African Art

Kgope, Thomas 

Artist' website - www.knightgall.com/artist/ndinisa

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Drawing on a wry sense of humour, Thomas Kgope fills his canvases with a spontaneous mix of traditional Ndebele patterns and caricaturized figures, which he scratches onto solid patches

of colour. Kgope weaves myths, symbolism, and ritual into highly personalized narratives, often inserting slogans and anecdotes directly into the work. These running commentaries reference dreams, Ndebele myths, and personal experiences. In a quirky reflection on the art gallery scene for example, Kgope singles out Knight Galleries International and the exhibition African Encounters held in Toronto in 1994. The artist often places himself – and major events in his personal life – at the centre of his own work



Like many artists in the present South Africa, Kgope tries to reconcile traditional African culture and western influences. He makes particular references to advertising and its effects on a largely uneducated black population in the townships. The shops plastered with signs that feature in many of Kgope’s works are

a familiar sight to any resident or visitor to the townships of South Africa.



Although largely self-taught, Kgope has managed to become one of the country’s most successful commercial artists. He began his artistic involvement as a freelance photographer in the late 1970s. In 1985, having completed his training as an electrician, Kgope found himself fixing electrical wires at the studio of artist Norman Catherine. Encouraged by Catherine to explore his creative talents, Kgope turned to painting with oils, sculpting in a variety

of materials, and fabricating ornate clothing. He was initially greatly taken with the work of Walter Battiss, before developing

a highly personal style.

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Kgope held his first exhibition in 1987 at the Waterkloof Preparatory School in Pretoria. He has had several individual shows at the Natalie Knight Gallery since, and has exhibited widely in South Africa and abroad. His work is owned by major cultural institutions such as the South African National Gallery

and University of Fort Hare, as well as numerous private collectors. Kgope’s work was singled out by the prestigious French publication, Revue Noire, in its 1994 edition devoted to South Africa.