Sphephelo Mnguni, a Durban-based artist, employs a multimedia approach to document the richness of black culture. Specializing in painting, Mnguni creates bold portraits that challenge viewers to move beyond cultural stereotypes and acknowledge the multifaceted nature of his subjects. His inspiration comes from observed inequalities in daily life and broader discourses surrounding blackness in South Africa and the African diaspora.

With a BA in Fine Arts from the Durban University of Technology (2016), Mnguni has showcased his work globally, notably at the Ross Sutton Gallery in New York for the "Black Voices: Friend of My Mind" exhibition. Other exhibitions include those at BKhz Gallery and the PRIZM Art Fair.

Mnguni's philosophy delves into what society deems worth remembering and celebrating. His practice explores the intersections of blackness, culture, and modernity, using painting to illuminate narratives of Black life echoing cultural richness and contemporary discourse. His work embodies an emerging African modernity rooted in the urban black experience, showcasing the integral role of Black cultures in shaping our understanding of the modern world.

Motivated by complexities of selfhood, Mnguni interrogates feelings associated with a permanent state of hybridity—navigating between cultures, places, and identities. Through rich and muted aesthetics, he invites viewers to explore a visual balance capturing the dichotomy of Blackness as an expansive, unknowable force and a powerful generator of culture. Mnguni's work aims to empower, celebrating a new African cultural subjecthood and presenting portraiture subjects as regal and beautiful.