JAN TSHIKHUTHULA
(b. 1983, Tzaneen, South Africa)

‘The journey to the city is an archetypal South African story. Rooted in forced migrant labour, the move to urban life is for many millions a story of the challenging landscape of the heart. It radiates through South Africa's fine arts scene. Jan Tshikhuthula is one example.

‘Born and raised in Tzaneen, Limpopo, he received his original fine art education in Venda. He then travelled to Jozi [Johannesburg]. A graduate of Newtown's Artist Proof Studio, he started with print-making, but in recent years has included charcoal and soft pastel landscapes that capture where he's come from and where he's going to.’ (Andrew Miller, 2017)

Jan Tshikhuthula was born in Tzaneen, South Africa, in 1983. In 2005 he studied at the Matongoni Art Academy under the mentorship of acclaimed Venda artist Avhashoni Mainganye, who encouraged him to specialize in printmaking at the Artist Proof Studio. He then moved to Johannesburg where he obtained his Professional Printmaking Certificate from Artist Proof Studio in 2010. He continues to run a range of printmaking workshops with the Special Projects Outreach department at Artist Proof. 

Tshikhuthula’s work is characterised by a sophisticated and elegant sense of design allied with an impeccable technique and superb drawing skills. His work symbolises both power and movement, displaying his personal journey into finding the spirit of his grandfather.

‘The theme of my work,’ Tshikhuthula explains, ‘is Makhulu, which means ‘grandfather’ in Tshivenda. This is reminiscent of my upbringing and talks about my journey from the small town of Tzaneen (in Limpopo) to the big city of Johannesburg (in Gauteng).’ Tshikhuthula explores the issues as well as the joys shared by South Africans. ‘Life is moving into new forms and shapes,’ he comments. ‘So am I.’

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2023 What I Feel When I Think About The Cosmos, Everard Read, Franschhoek, South Africa

        25th anniversary exhibition, Knysna Fine Art, Knysna, South Africa

2021 MAVU A VHO MAKHULU WASHU, solo exhibition, Everard Read, Franschhoek, South Africa

        Tshikhuwani, solo exhibition, Lizamore & Associates, Johannesburg, South Africa

        Offering, group exhibition, Everard Read, Franschhoek, South Africa

2020 IMAGO, group exhibition, Everard Read, Franschhoek, South Africa

        Journeys of the Mind, group exhibition, Everard Read, Franschhoek, South Africa

        Lufuno, solo, Lizamore & Associates, Johannesburg, South Africa

2019 Venda, solo, Lizamore & Associates, Johannesburg, South Africa

2017 20 year celebration, Knysna Fine Arts, Knysna, South Africa

        35th anniversary exhibition, Lizamore & Associates, Johannesburg, South Africa

        Turbine Art Fair, Johannesburg, South Africa

        Rotary Art Fair, Johannesburg, South Africa

        Muta, solo, Lizamore & Associates, Johannesburg, South Africa

2016 Rotary Art Fair, Johannesburg, South Africa

        Turbine Art Fair, Johannesburg, South Africa

2015 Gibbs Print Fair, Johannesburg, South Africa

        The Power of the Paper (50 years of printmaking in Australia, Canada and South Africa),

        Museum of Archeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

        Madi a Thavha Wood Sculpture, group exhibition, Venda, South Africa

2014 I remember my grandfather, solo, Gallery 2, Johannesburg, South Africa

2013 ABSA L’Atelier Finalists, ABSA Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

        Freedom, two-person show with Carla Frank, Johannesburg, South Africa

2012 David Brown Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

2011 Landscapes Revisited, two-person show with Mongezi Ncaphayi, Johannesburg, South Africa

        Unity Gallery, collaboration with Senzo Shabangu, South Africa

2010 Artist’s Open Studio, Drill Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa

        Artist Proof Studio 3rd year Exhibition, Johannesburg, South Africa

        Kate Miller Photography Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

2009 Craft Yarano sculpture, Pretoria, South Africa

        Artist Proof Studio Gallery with Pony Pedro, Johannesburg, South Africa

2007 Fried Contemporary, Pretoria, South Africa

AWARDS

2013 ABSA L’Atelier Finalists’ Top 10

2010 Artist Proof Studio, Student of the year

2006/7 Vembe District Art Awards (1st & 2nd place)

2005 Mapungubwe Building Up Art competition (1st prize)

2004 Munghana Lonene FM Art Competition (1st prize)

RESIDENCIES, PROJECTS & WORKSHOPS

2021   Artist Residency at Everard Read at Leeu Estates

2012-15 Project (collaboration with William Kentridge)

2011-4 Facilitated TB, Bilharzia and Aids awareness workshop with Kim Berman in Makuya (Venda)

2010-17 Facilitated a book binding, drawing and painting workshop (Limpopo)

2008-9 Vhutsila Vhutibiwi pottery workshop at Noria Mabasa (Venda).

2007 Bag Factory Artist Residency (Johannesburg)

PUBLIC COLLECTIONS

Rand Merchant Bank Art Collection