​Contemporary South African Art

Date of Birth:1975
Place of Birth: Umlazi Township, KwaZulu Natal
As a young boy, he demonstrated exceptional artistic ability. Noticing his obvious talent with pencil and brush, his teachers encouraged

him to study art after leaving school. Apart

from gaining valuable experience as an artist during a one-year course at The Bat Centre, Mbhekeni was further inspired by artist

Themba Siwela and late Gabisele Nkosi. Mbhekeni produces work that illustrates the modernist language of “township art” to explore contemporary issues. Mbhekeni is an artist with an unusually perceptive eye and his humorous visual interpretation of the world in which he lives has resulted in his work being sought after in both local and international markets.
Mbili writes that “Some of my fondest memories of my early childhood days were

the times my brothers, my late dad and myself played soccer in the park, creating a life-long passion for soccer. Soccer gave me the means to express myself and allowed me to release tension. It transported me to another world where I only focused on the soccer ball and

my interaction with my teammates. Soccer provided me with a sense of belonging, yet allowed me to retain my individuality. We did not need to hang out at nightclubs and movie theatres; we provided our own entertainment with soccer.” (ArtSmart, 2008)

About his artwork, Mbili writes that “I want my paintings to create an atmosphere where the world becomes receptive to us and supports our land and its people, and realizes we have much to offer, despite all the negative reports generated about South Africa. I want to send

a message of hope and joy by portraying the humility and endurance of the South African people by means of my work.”
Mbhekeni currently attends art classes presented by local Durban artist Dee Donaldson.
Exhibitions:
2002 BAT Centre, Durban Solo Exhibition
2003 BAT Centre, Durban Solo Exhibition
2008 KZNSA, Durban Solo Exhibition, “Soccer Vibe”
2009 KZNSA Solo Exhibition “All eyes in Africa”
2010 Solo Exhibition at the KZNSA “Touch African Soil”
2011 African Art Centre Group Exhibition, “Abantu Bakithi”
Competitions
2006 ABSA Atelier participant
2007 One of the finalists in the Start: The Nivea Art Award 2007 (an award for emerging artists co-ordinated by the KZNSA Gallery and supported by Beiersdorf.
Amasi Egula Art Competition finalist

His work is represented in numerous private and public collections including the Tatham Art Gallery, Durban Art Gallery, BAT Centre and in the Moses Mabhida Stadium.



Article credits to:www.afriart.co.za