Banele Khoza (b. 1994, Hlatikulu, Eswatini) is a South African-based visual artist, curator, and gallery director renowned for his expressive paintings that explore themes of love, masculinity, and human connection. His work is characterised by vibrant colours and fluid forms, often blurring the lines between abstraction and figuration.
Khoza's artistic journey began with an initial pursuit of fashion design at the London International School of Fashion in Pretoria. However, his passion for drawing led him to transfer to the Tshwane University of Technology, where he earned a National Diploma and a BTech in Fine Art. After completing his studies, Khoza served as a lecturer in Drawing and Art Theory at the same institution before dedicating himself fully to his art practice.
In 2017, Khoza's talent was recognised with the Gerard Sekoto Award at the Absa L'Atelier Art Competition, which included a three-month residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris. His solo exhibitions, such as "Temporary Feelings" at the Pretoria Art Museum (2016) and "LOVE?" at SMITH Studio in Cape Town (2018), have been acclaimed for their introspective exploration of emotional landscapes. In 2018, he presented "LGBTQI+: Banele Khoza" at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in Cape Town, further establishing his prominence in the contemporary art scene.
Beyond his personal practice, Khoza is the founder of BKhz, a gallery and studio space in Johannesburg dedicated to supporting emerging artists and fostering creative dialogue. His commitment to the arts extends to community engagement, where he emphasises the importance of creating inclusive spaces for artistic expression.
Reflecting on his work, Khoza states, "I appreciate the freedom I get from living in South Africa, tackling gender norms and also the idea of painting. There is a rich culture and appreciation of the Arts in this country and it inspires me further."
Text Sources
Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (zeitzmocaa.museum)
SMITH Studio (smithstudio.co.za)
Tshwane University of Technology (tut.ac.za)
Image Source: BASA
