​Contemporary South African Art

Born in 1940 in Orlando East, Soweto. where he still lives.  He started drawing at the age of 12.  He was introduced to art by the artist David Mbele, but he is mainly sel-taught.  His brother, Walter, and friend, Mbele, encouraged him and helped him to become a full-time artist.  Sibeko was also inspired in his early years as an artist by his friendship with the artist Solomon Sekhaelelo.  There are influences of famous European artsits in his work but he gives all his paintings on African feeling.

 

Sibeko paintes Soweto township life with stylized figures.  He uses pastels, watercolours, charcoal, oil paints and pencil and has developed an unusual mixed medium of sand from the mine dumps near Soweto which he glues onto board on which he then paints in oil paints.  He has participated in a number or art exhibition and has sold many of his artworks to corporate and private ar collectors. He paints everyday life in Soweto, depicting the happiness, suffering, joy and sadness of the people around him.

 

Sibeko and some of this friends are involved in training young artists in Soweto.  They present workshops to help young people who want to be artists. He has done something unique by starting his own art gallery in Victory House in 1986.  The Soweto Art Gallery sells the paintings and sculptures of artists from all over the country.  Besides creating art, Sibeko is also involved in raising funds for poor artists and the Mandela Children's Fund.

 

From 1980, Sibeko has participated in many exhibitions in South Africa and in countries such as the USA, Australi, UK and Greece.

 

Ref:  Walking Tall, Without Fear - 24 South African Artists from the Struggle Era by Ifa Lethu & Dirkie Offringa

 

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Peter Sibeko was born in 1940

in Soweto.  He started painting and sketching in 1980 after being trained by David Mbele. He sold his work to curio shops from

1975 to 1985.  He then decided to join other artists in group exhibitions in Cape Town, Gallery International, Crake Gallery Johannesburg and at Durban, which proved to be very successful.  He has also participated in exhibitions in

New York and Cologne Germany.

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His work has been sought after and bought by both tourists and South Africans.  A large number of his works have been framed and displayed in Banks, such

as First National Bank Centre

of Johannesburg, Corporations and industrial firms both locally and overseas.

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A few pieces of his work are in the Art Gallery in Cologne, South Africa National Art Gallery, Cape Town.