MASHUDU NEVHUTALU

Growing up surrounded by street art, graffiti, and murals, he developed a strong visual sensibility despite limited formal exposure to art during his early schooling. He went on to study Fine and Applied Arts at the Tshwane University of Technology, graduating with Honours in 2014. That same year, his career gained momentum when he was selected for the Sasol New Signatures Competition, followed by participation in notable group exhibitions and competitions, including the SA Taxi Foundation Art Awards in 2016 and 2017.

Nevhutalu’s work draws from personal and collective memory, often using old family photographs as a starting point. Through layered painting, blurred forms, and warm, nostalgic tones, he reflects on the fluid nature of memory and its influence on identity. Women from his family frequently appear as central figures, allowing viewers to project their own experiences onto the work. In his 2023 exhibition Hayani at BKhz Gallery—meaning “home” in his mother tongue—he explored home as an emotional and relational space rather than a physical location. His work has also been shown internationally, including in Africa Supernova (2023) at Kunsthal KAdE in the Netherlands, situating his practice within a broader global dialogue on contemporary African art.