Artists
- Founder of Zimele Original Ceramics
Victor Shabalala
Victor Shabalala, the heart and hands behind Zimele, is a master ceramicist whose journey began with just two bags of clay and a dream.
Born from a spirit of independence and a desire to uplift others through creativity, Zimele (meaning “to stand on one’s own”) reflects Victor’s belief in the transformative power of art. From his studio in KwaZulu-Natal, he has cultivated a collective of artisans whose bold, hand-painted ceramics celebrate African heritage, colour, and confidence.
Victor’s work is showcased in high-end hotels across South Africa, represented in a gallery in Miami, and now—thanks to Maverick Art’s exclusive distribution rights—it is proudly available in Australia. Every Zimele piece is a testament to Victor’s vision: art that carries meaning, inspires pride, and connects people across cultures.
- mixed media artist
Juanita Frier
Born in Tzaneen in 1973, Juanita Frier is a mixed-media artist whose work critiques modern consumer culture and the erosion of identity in today’s hyper-commercial world. Through vibrant and thought-provoking compositions, she examines how materialism and mass advertising shape perceptions of status, self-worth, and community.
Frier’s artworks frequently incorporate imagery drawn from magazines, advertisements, and urban landscapes—symbols of a society overwhelmed by consumption and driven by corporate influence. Her figures are often distorted or abstracted, a metaphor for the fragmentation of identity in an age where we are constantly being sold an image of who we should be.
At the heart of her practice is a deep concern for unity, freedom, and joy. Frier believes in art as a catalyst for connection and awakening, using humour and upliftment as tools to cut through cultural divisions. Her creative process is a personal act of expression and a call to others to embrace their own imaginative potential.
Working in acrylics, mixed media, paper mâché, and mosaic, her style is eclectic and vibrant—anchored in message but unafraid to play.
“I see creativity as an ocean—limitless and ever-moving. Each artwork is a wave, momentarily rising to express the whole before returning to the greater flow.” — Juanita Frier
- mixed media artist
Juanita Frier
Born in Tzaneen in 1973, Juanita Frier is a mixed-media artist whose work critiques modern consumer culture and the erosion of identity in today’s hyper-commercial world. Through vibrant and thought-provoking compositions, she examines how materialism and mass advertising shape perceptions of status, self-worth, and community.
Frier’s artworks frequently incorporate imagery drawn from magazines, advertisements, and urban landscapes—symbols of a society overwhelmed by consumption and driven by corporate influence. Her figures are often distorted or abstracted, a metaphor for the fragmentation of identity in an age where we are constantly being sold an image of who we should be.
At the heart of her practice is a deep concern for unity, freedom, and joy. Frier believes in art as a catalyst for connection and awakening, using humour and upliftment as tools to cut through cultural divisions. Her creative process is a personal act of expression and a call to others to embrace their own imaginative potential.
Working in acrylics, mixed media, paper mâché, and mosaic, her style is eclectic and vibrant—anchored in message but unafraid to play.
“I see creativity as an ocean—limitless and ever-moving. Each artwork is a wave, momentarily rising to express the whole before returning to the greater flow.” — Juanita Frier
- contemporary artist
Toni Bico
Toni Bico is a Johannesburg-based contemporary artist known for his expressive, layered works that shift fluidly between figuration, abstraction, and conceptual experimentation. His art is a process of exploration—both of materials and of meaning—driven by a desire to evoke feeling rather than prescribe interpretation.
Starting from a figurative base, Toni often deconstructs his subjects into more abstract forms, allowing colour, line, and composition to take centre stage. This transformation invites viewers to move beyond surface representation and engage with the emotional resonance within each piece. For Toni, a painting is not a statement, but a conversation—one in which meaning is co-created by the viewer’s own experience.
Born in Quelimane, Mozambique, and raised in Johannesburg, Toni’s path has been shaped by intellectual curiosity as much as artistic passion. He studied English Literature, Psychology, and the History of Art at university, and has pursued personal interests ranging from astronomy to autonomous vehicle programming. This broad spectrum of inquiry infuses his art with a sense of dynamism and depth.
Toni’s works have earned international acclaim and are held in private collections around the world, including in South Africa, Europe, Asia, and the United States.
- multidisciplinary artist, educator, and researcher
Lee Scott Hempson
Born in 1964 in Triangle, Zimbabwe, Lee Scott Hempson is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and researcher whose practice spans fine art, fashion, graphic design, and visual activism. With a background in Fine Arts and a recently completed MTech in Graphic Design, her work is driven by a desire to interrogate cultural narratives, identity, and the layered meanings within fashion.
Lee currently lectures in drawing and illustration at the Durban University of Technology, where she also mentors postgraduate students in Fashion and Textile Design. Her career in education has allowed her to engage with multiple creative disciplines—from graphic and textile design to jewellery and fashion—shaping a holistic and hybrid approach to both teaching and artmaking.
A core theme in her creative research is hybridity—the intersection of diverse cultural, aesthetic, and conceptual influences. Drawing on both the biological metaphor and sociocultural theory, she explores how mixed heritage and visual languages can give rise to new modes of expression. This investigation is deeply personal and political, reflecting the complexity of identity in a postcolonial context.
Fashion—particularly the silhouette—features prominently in her work, not merely as a tool for aesthetic construction, but as a symbol of deeper questions around authenticity, appropriation, and self-representation. Informed by theorists such as Efrat Tseëlon, Lee explores fashion’s dual role as both revelation and disguise, probing how what we wear communicates—and conceals—who we are.
- multidisciplinary artist, educator, and researcher
Lee Scott Hempson
Born in 1964 in Triangle, Zimbabwe, Lee Scott Hempson is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and researcher whose practice spans fine art, fashion, graphic design, and visual activism. With a background in Fine Arts and a recently completed MTech in Graphic Design, her work is driven by a desire to interrogate cultural narratives, identity, and the layered meanings within fashion.
Lee currently lectures in drawing and illustration at the Durban University of Technology, where she also mentors postgraduate students in Fashion and Textile Design. Her career in education has allowed her to engage with multiple creative disciplines—from graphic and textile design to jewellery and fashion—shaping a holistic and hybrid approach to both teaching and artmaking.
A core theme in her creative research is hybridity—the intersection of diverse cultural, aesthetic, and conceptual influences. Drawing on both the biological metaphor and sociocultural theory, she explores how mixed heritage and visual languages can give rise to new modes of expression. This investigation is deeply personal and political, reflecting the complexity of identity in a postcolonial context.
Fashion—particularly the silhouette—features prominently in her work, not merely as a tool for aesthetic construction, but as a symbol of deeper questions around authenticity, appropriation, and self-representation. Informed by theorists such as Efrat Tseëlon, Lee explores fashion’s dual role as both revelation and disguise, probing how what we wear communicates—and conceals—who we are.
- contemporary artist
Godfrey Majadibodu
Born in 1968 in Alexandra, South Africa, Godfrey Majadibodu is a celebrated artist whose vibrant works capture the emotional rhythm of township life. Raised between Mamelodi and the Limpopo Province, his early years were shaped by community, tradition, and resilience. A pivotal moment in his youth came when his mother’s employer recognized his artistic promise and generously supported his formal education in the arts—a gesture that helped launch his creative journey.
Majadibodu’s paintings are a rich tapestry of daily life, especially in the context of African urban and township settings. He describes his work as a visual storytelling process:
“I try to express the different feelings that African people experience in their daily lives. My scenes are full of colour and energy—they speak of love, togetherness, and the spirit of ubuntu.”
With a distinctive style that blends expressive brushwork and dynamic composition, Majadibodu invites viewers into a world both familiar and hopeful, where community is celebrated and human connection is central.
- contemporary artist
Percy Manyonga
Born in 1971 in Goromonzi, Mashonaland East, Zimbabwe, Percy Manyonga is a fine artist whose work blends memory, culture, and imagination. He studied at the BAT Visual Art Studios under the auspices of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe and began actively participating in fine art workshops in 1996. His work has since earned international attention, with exhibitions in Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, and beyond. In 2000, he was honoured with the Cyril Rogers Award of Distinction.
Manyonga’s art draws deeply from his rural roots, especially his early life as a cattle herder. This upbringing forms the emotional and thematic bedrock of his practice, where animals and cultural symbols become visual metaphors for values, identity, and the African way of life. His paintings offer more than scenes—they are meditations on memory, belonging, and transformation.
Known for his thoughtful compositions and refined sense of structure, Manyonga pushes the boundaries of representation. His works invite viewers to engage not just with what they see, but with what they feel and imagine. For him, art is a means of re-seeing the world—a space where line, form, and meaning are constantly being reshaped.
His paintings reside in private collections across the globe, including in Spain, Canada, Australia, Austria, the UK, Italy, Germany, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
- contemporary artist
Percy Manyonga
Born in 1971 in Goromonzi, Mashonaland East, Zimbabwe, Percy Manyonga is a fine artist whose work blends memory, culture, and imagination. He studied at the BAT Visual Art Studios under the auspices of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe and began actively participating in fine art workshops in 1996. His work has since earned international attention, with exhibitions in Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, and beyond. In 2000, he was honoured with the Cyril Rogers Award of Distinction.
Manyonga’s art draws deeply from his rural roots, especially his early life as a cattle herder. This upbringing forms the emotional and thematic bedrock of his practice, where animals and cultural symbols become visual metaphors for values, identity, and the African way of life. His paintings offer more than scenes—they are meditations on memory, belonging, and transformation.
Known for his thoughtful compositions and refined sense of structure, Manyonga pushes the boundaries of representation. His works invite viewers to engage not just with what they see, but with what they feel and imagine. For him, art is a means of re-seeing the world—a space where line, form, and meaning are constantly being reshaped.
His paintings reside in private collections across the globe, including in Spain, Canada, Australia, Austria, the UK, Italy, Germany, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
- contemporary artist
Lionel Murcott (1947–2021)
Born in 1947 in the rural town of Lemana, once part of South Africa’s Northern Transvaal, Lionel Murcott devoted over four decades to exploring the human condition through paint. He passed away in Johannesburg on 23 June 2021, leaving behind a body of work that continues to resonate with raw emotion and painterly intensity.
Murcott’s art was deeply rooted in the human form—its presence, its fragility, and the energy it holds. He was known for his expressive use of acrylics, often working with a deliberately limited palette of three primary colours and white. This restrained approach gave rise to compositions where colour relationships—harmonies, tensions, and echoes—became central to the experience of the piece.
His process was intuitive and immersive. Sometimes working directly from life, Murcott captured what arose in the moment. At other times, he painted from the well of memory and introspection—driven by shadows, longing, and personal reflection. For him, painting was not simply depiction but dialogue: between artist and sitter, pigment and brushstroke, light and substance.
“Painting is a crazy job,” he once wrote. “After 45 years, I find myself more alive in it than ever—energized by new pigments, new visions, and the enduring dance between light, colour, and soul.”
Murcott’s legacy is one of unflinching presence, creative honesty, and a lifelong commitment to seeing—truly seeing—the emotional depth within others and himself.
- visual artist
Faye Spencer
Born in Durban in 1974, Faye Spencer is a South African visual artist working primarily in painting, drawing, and printmaking. She is currently based in the Natal Midlands, where she balances her creative practice with a deep commitment to art education.
Spencer’s work is rooted in the dual themes of conflict and solace. These seemingly opposing forces form the backbone of her artistic exploration. Her acclaimed Office Politics series examines power dynamics and behavioural tensions in contemporary society through the metaphor of canine behaviour—using humour and irony to cast a sharp light on the complexities of workplace and social interactions.
In contrast, her more introspective work seeks refuge in the natural world and domestic spaces. These paintings and drawings act as quiet meditations on what is precious yet often taken for granted. With a gentle but deliberate hand, Spencer captures fleeting beauty and the erosion of value in a fast-moving, demanding world. What might seem banal at first glance is, upon closer inspection, a deeply felt resistance to cultural and ecological loss.
“My work is an effort to counter the disconnection I often feel in modern life. Through art, I reconnect—with people, with nature, and with what matters.” — Faye Spencer
Outside the studio, Faye is a passionate educator, teaching visual arts in disciplines including drawing, printmaking, book arts, and painting. For her, teaching is not separate from her art but an essential extension of it—a space for dialogue, inquiry, and shared creativity.
- visual artist
Faye Spencer
Born in Durban in 1974, Faye Spencer is a South African visual artist working primarily in painting, drawing, and printmaking. She is currently based in the Natal Midlands, where she balances her creative practice with a deep commitment to art education.
Spencer’s work is rooted in the dual themes of conflict and solace. These seemingly opposing forces form the backbone of her artistic exploration. Her acclaimed Office Politics series examines power dynamics and behavioural tensions in contemporary society through the metaphor of canine behaviour—using humour and irony to cast a sharp light on the complexities of workplace and social interactions.
In contrast, her more introspective work seeks refuge in the natural world and domestic spaces. These paintings and drawings act as quiet meditations on what is precious yet often taken for granted. With a gentle but deliberate hand, Spencer captures fleeting beauty and the erosion of value in a fast-moving, demanding world. What might seem banal at first glance is, upon closer inspection, a deeply felt resistance to cultural and ecological loss.
“My work is an effort to counter the disconnection I often feel in modern life. Through art, I reconnect—with people, with nature, and with what matters.” — Faye Spencer
Outside the studio, Faye is a passionate educator, teaching visual arts in disciplines including drawing, printmaking, book arts, and painting. For her, teaching is not separate from her art but an essential extension of it—a space for dialogue, inquiry, and shared creativity.
- contemporary artist
Louis van den Heever
Born in 1977 in Pretoria, Louis van den Heever’s creative journey has taken him from naval service and scuba diving to the vibrant world of contemporary art. After matriculating in 1995 and spending time abroad, he committed to a full-time artistic practice in 2003. Now based in Hermanus since 2013, he continues to refine his voice as an artist known for his bold, pop-surrealist aesthetic.
Van den Heever’s work is infused with nostalgia and subcultural references, drawing inspiration from comic books, skateboard graphics, record store album covers, and the poetic imagery found in song lyrics and literature. Originally working in pencil and pastel portraiture, his style evolved into dynamic acrylic paintings that channel the energy and composition of comic book panels—complete with expressive text, punchy visuals, and unexpected materials.
Whether working on canvas, salvaged bricks, or prints, Van den Heever’s art offers visual snapshots—fragmented narratives frozen in time, inviting the viewer to imagine the story that surrounds them. His eclectic practice also includes sculpture, illustration, and more recently, explorations in printmaking.
Louis van den Heever’s art speaks to the rebellious and reflective, the playful and profound. It’s a conversation between pop culture and fine art—delivered with humour, intensity, and an unmistakable creative edge.
- contemporary artist
Sibusiso Duma
Sibusiso Duma is a dynamic emerging voice in the Durban art scene, known for his distinctive approach to composition, colour, and surface. His journey as an artist began under the mentorship of the late Trevor Makhoba, a pivotal figure in South African contemporary art. Through Makhoba’s Philange Art Project—a studio initiative based in Umlazi township—Duma was encouraged to refine his skills and develop his own creative language within a supportive and collaborative environment.
Working in Makhoba’s backyard studio, Duma was immersed in a culture of mentorship and experimentation. Over the years, he became part of a tight-knit circle of artists that included Welcome Danca, and the trio went on to exhibit together at the African Art Centre in Durban, among other venues.
While Makhoba’s influence can be traced in Duma’s early work, Duma has steadily cultivated a style that is unmistakably his own. His paintings are marked by a nuanced interplay of subject, space, and texture—anchored in a vibrant palette and a subtle narrative sensibility. Rather than addressing social themes directly, Duma hints at them through metaphor, composition, and expressive form, inviting viewers into a layered experience that is both aesthetically engaging and thematically rich.
- contemporary artist
Sibusiso Duma
Sibusiso Duma is a dynamic emerging voice in the Durban art scene, known for his distinctive approach to composition, colour, and surface. His journey as an artist began under the mentorship of the late Trevor Makhoba, a pivotal figure in South African contemporary art. Through Makhoba’s Philange Art Project—a studio initiative based in Umlazi township—Duma was encouraged to refine his skills and develop his own creative language within a supportive and collaborative environment.
Working in Makhoba’s backyard studio, Duma was immersed in a culture of mentorship and experimentation. Over the years, he became part of a tight-knit circle of artists that included Welcome Danca, and the trio went on to exhibit together at the African Art Centre in Durban, among other venues.
While Makhoba’s influence can be traced in Duma’s early work, Duma has steadily cultivated a style that is unmistakably his own. His paintings are marked by a nuanced interplay of subject, space, and texture—anchored in a vibrant palette and a subtle narrative sensibility. Rather than addressing social themes directly, Duma hints at them through metaphor, composition, and expressive form, inviting viewers into a layered experience that is both aesthetically engaging and thematically rich.
- visual arts
Thokozani Mthiyane
Johannesburg-based artist Thokozani Mthiyane brings a deeply intuitive and expressive energy to his work, blending painting with poetry in a practice that defies convention. A former performer with the Madcap’s Educational Theatre Company, Mthiyane transitioned into the visual arts under the mentorship of respected artists Sfiso KaMkame and Thami Jali. His first solo exhibition took place at Durban’s Flat Gallery, marking the beginning of a career that continues to evolve with passion and introspection.
Mthiyane’s process is improvisational and rooted in feeling. Often accompanied by jazz music in his studio, he allows rhythm and instinct to guide his hand. His creative approach is fluid and spontaneous—“The work is only premeditated up to the first gesture,” he says. “After that, it becomes something else entirely.”
Rather than adhering to formalist concerns or art historical critique, Mthiyane’s work is a vehicle for self-expression and soul-searching. He sees the act of making art as a healing ritual—a channel through which emotion, memory, and cultural tension can be explored. His work doesn’t shout its message but rather invites quiet reflection on the challenges and beauty of life in South Africa.
Physically engaged in his process, Mthiyane often incorporates collage, text, and found objects into his canvases. He paints with his hands, feet, and spirit—layering meaning through materials like soil, scraps, and thread. The result is a body of work that feels alive, tactile, and deeply human.
- contemporary artist
Sthenjwa Luthuli
Born in 1991 in Botha’s Hill, KwaZulu-Natal, Sthenjwa Luthuli is a South African artist celebrated for his hand-carved wooden reliefs and bold, patterned compositions. Deeply rooted in Zulu culture, his work explores themes of identity, ancestry, spirituality, and social transformation.
Luthuli’s intricate process involves chiseling detailed designs into MDF board before hand-painting them in vibrant, rhythmic patterns. Often featuring symbolic, faceless figures, his works evoke a metaphysical space that bridges the physical and spiritual worlds.
Luthuli has exhibited internationally, with works held in prestigious collections such as the Brooklyn Museum and Norval Foundation. His practice continues to honour tradition while engaging with contemporary discourse.
- contemporary artist
Sthenjwa Luthuli
Born in 1991 in Botha’s Hill, KwaZulu-Natal, Sthenjwa Luthuli is a South African artist celebrated for his hand-carved wooden reliefs and bold, patterned compositions. Deeply rooted in Zulu culture, his work explores themes of identity, ancestry, spirituality, and social transformation.
Luthuli’s intricate process involves chiseling detailed designs into MDF board before hand-painting them in vibrant, rhythmic patterns. Often featuring symbolic, faceless figures, his works evoke a metaphysical space that bridges the physical and spiritual worlds.
Luthuli has exhibited internationally, with works held in prestigious collections such as the Brooklyn Museum and Norval Foundation. His practice continues to honour tradition while engaging with contemporary discourse.
- contemporary artist
Trevor Coleman
Born in Johannesburg in 1936, Trevor Coleman is a seasoned artist whose bold and vivid works reflect a lifetime of travel, cultural immersion, and creative exploration. With a career spanning decades and exhibitions across the globe, Coleman has developed a distinctive visual language defined by his fearless use of colour and a deep sensitivity to form.
Each year, Coleman embarks on a journey to a new destination—gathering inspiration from the textures, rhythms, and visual patterns of diverse landscapes and cultures. His travels have taken him across Africa and Asia, including formative experiences in countries such as Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, Mali, the Ivory Coast, and Zanzibar. These journeys are not fleeting visits, but immersive encounters that shape the mood and composition of his work.
His paintings pulse with the warmth and energy of an African-inspired palette, balancing saturated hues with an abstract visual language that leans into geometry, texture, and repetition. Rather than documenting the world literally, Coleman distills his experiences into shapes and colour relationships—transforming everyday moments into vibrant meditations on place and memory.
Trevor Coleman’s art invites viewers to look beyond representation and into sensation. Through abstraction and colour, he captures not just what he has seen, but how it has felt.