Sthenjwa Luthuli

He then carves into this piece of wood using a chisel and mallet. The result is a hybrid art-object, a bare, wooden, sculptural canvas. Sthenjwa then paints this object, introducing his figures, each one deterministically shackled to a life with little opportunity. This process is deeply rooted in tradition: African sculpture has historically used wood, as well as other organic indigenous materials. This connection to the past is so crucial, as it is through education and learning from history, that societies and collective thought can progress. However, Sthenjwa takes this tradition and adapts it with a decidedly contemporary visual language, hoping to use his art to engage and offer hope to younger generations.

Sthenjwa Luthuli was born in Botha’s Hill, South Africa in 1991. In 2010 he joined the BAT Centre for Visual Art. The classes there familiarised him with the art industry and encouraged him to further explore and develop his creativity. He creates highly intricate, meditative work by carving detailed patterns into wood blocks. Sthenjwa’s artwork is a refashioning of the sculptural language developed by African modernists like Jackson Hlungwani, Noria Mabasa, Nelson Mukhuba, Dr Phutuma Seoka, Johannes Maswanganyi, Johannes Segogela and others.