I am a painter and art teacher from Cape Town, South Africa. I have lived in the UK since 2005. I began creating art in 2001 after being inspired by local artists and activists who used their creative mediums as social and political tools, highlighting inequalities during and since apartheid. In 2004 I co-founded the artists collective ‘UMSI’ which enabled young black South African artists to access art funds and galleries. ‘UMSI’ evolved into the global artist network collective ‘Gugulective’, continuing the core principles.

As well as making and exhibiting my own work, I have been involved in community art-based projects running workshops in SA, Germany and the UK. I worked on a number of large-scale wall-based pieces in South Africa and Germany as part of the ‘Agenda 21 Global Wall Painting Mural Project’ commissioned by UNESCO. In 2015 I was invited to take part in 40-degree Urban Art Festival in Dusseldorf, Germany. Along with 180 local and international artists, I was given a room in a department store building to create artwork during the nine day festival. Since my move to the UK in 2005, I have exhibited and completed two artist residencies. I took time away from exhibiting to create and run an art department for a large SEN school trust in London.

To maintain positive mental health while in recovery from a prolonged physical illness, I am focusing on my paintbrush again. I am primarily producing portraiture and incorporating South African flora elements. The subjects of my portraits are family and friends – old and new. Painting life-long friends from South Africa helps me reconnect with home and cultural identity.

Instagram:
@shuku_sounds

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/thulani.shuku


You can catch Thulani Shuku at the Catford Arts Trail 2024 - venue no. 9 - 29 Davenport Road - SE6 2AY