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

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 that connects artists through their parallel art forms.

Jan Tshikhuthula was born in Tzaneen, South Africa in 1983. In 2005 he studied at the Matongoni Art Academy under the mentorship of 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 has participated in a number of group shows with various Artist Proof Studio artists and continues to run a range of printmaking workshops with the Special Projects Outreach department at Artist Proof Studio.

ARTIST STATEMENT:

“The theme of my work is ‘Makhulu’ which means grandfather in Tshivenda. This is reminiscent of my upbringing and talks about my journey from a small town in Tzaneen (Venda) to the big city of Johannesburg (Gauteng).”

Tshikhuthula is part of a new generation, driven by its collective energy. "When I wake up I think of what my people are doing, and creating, because we are on the same buzz. It's my peers who push me. If I don't wake up and paint or draw then I fear the buzz our generation has established will leave me behind."

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

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

Tshikhuwani, solo exhibition, Lizamore & Associates, Johannesburg
            Offering, group exhibition, Everard Read, Franschhoek

2020     IMAGO, group exhibition, Everard Read, Franschhoek

Journeys of the Mind, group exhibition Everard Read , Franschoek
2018     Venda solo exhibition, Lizamore & Associates, Johannesburg

2017     Knysna Fine Arts 20 year celebration, Knysna

35 Exhibition, Lizamore & Associates, Johannesburg

Turbine Art fair, Johannesburg

Rotary Art fair, Johannesburg

Muta solo exhibition, Lizamore & Associates, Johannesburg

2016     Rotary Art fair, Johannesburg

Turbine Artfair, Johannesburg

2015     Gibbs Print Fair, Johannesburg

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

            Madi a Thavha Wood Sculpture, group exhibition, Venda

2014     I remember my grandfather, Gallery 2 Johannesburg

2013     ABSA L’sAtelier Finalists’, ABSA Gallery

Freedom (Two man show with Carla Frank), Johannesburg

2012     David Brown Gallery, Johannesburg

2011     Landscapes Revisited (Two-man show with Mongezi Mcaphaii)

Unity Gallery (collaboration with Senzo Shabangu)

2010     Artist’s Open Studio (Drill Hall, Johannesburg)

Artist Proof Studio 3rd year Exhibition (Johannesburg)

            Kate Miller Photography Gallery (Johannesburg)

2009     Craft Yarano sculpture (Pretoria)

            Artist Proof Studio Gallery with Pony Pedro (Johannesburg)

2007     Fred Contemporary Art Gallery (Pretoria)

AWARDS

2013: ABSA L,Atelier Finalists’ Top 10

2010: Artist Proof Studio, Student of the year

2006 / 2007: Vembe District Art Awards (1st & 2nd place)

2005: Mapungubwe Building Up Art competition (1st prize)

2004: Munghana Lonene FM Art Competition (1st prize)

WORKSHOPS & PROJECTS

2021          Artist Residency at Everard Read at Leeu Estates

2012 - 2015: Project (collaboration with William Kentridge)

2011 - 2014: Facilitated TB, Bilharzia and Aids awareness workshop with Kim Berman in Makuya (Venda)

2010 - 2017: Facilitated a book binding, drawing and painting workshop (Limpopo)

2008 - 2009: Vhutsila Vhutibiwi pottery workshop at Noria Mabasa (Venda).

2007: Bag Factory Artist Residency (Johannesburg)

PUBLIC COLLECTIONS

Rand Merchant Bank Art Collection