Mandla Mavengere

Born 1992 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Mandla Mavengere is primarily known for his dominant forms in painting as well as printing. Mavengere moved to South Africa after finishing his education in Zimbabwe. He got trained as a printmaker in South Africa from Artist Proof Studio, from career took wheels. Apart from pursuing printmaking, he painted and participated in several shows.

A message of hope is recurrent in Mavengere’s work, as he captures the endurance of his family as well as the community. Essentially, his depictions discuss problems of daily individuals such as labourers and migrants, among others, and spark conversations that are otherwise avoided. Using his artwork as the voice of the easily forgotten, Mavengere reflects on socio-economic issues. His work depicts the tale of people who choose to migrate in search of a better life. Usually, such individuals wish to alter their dimension of wealth and seek validation within themselves. They leave their family homes, their communities and local careers to find better fortunes and nevertheless hopefully warm sustenance.

Being a migrant himself, Mavengere performs as a storyteller of his grandfather, himself and other migrants, leveraging them as an anchor and a reminder. A fictitious currency is common to his paintings, “Gondruala”, serving as a constant reminder of what wealth means to migrants. Although repetitive imagery persists in his expressions, the backdrop and the character of the portrait alters, depending on the interstitial context he functions with.

Mavengere has exhibited his work in multiple solo and group exhibitions including the Love-world Festival of Music and Arts. He was also recommended for a mentorship program at the William Kentridge studio while being represented by several galleries and notable websites.

Mandla Mavengere lives and works at his studio in Johannesburg, South Africa.