Johannes Phokela (b. 1966)

BIOGRAPHY

Born in Soweto, Johannes Phokela began his formal art career in 1984 at the Federated Union of Black Artists (FUBA) Academy in Johannesburg, where he obtained a three-year diploma.

In 1987, he relocated to London, where he completed a year-long foundation course at Central St Martin’s, before acquiring a Bachelor’s Degree at Camberwell College of Art (1988). He then completed a Master’s Degree at the Royal College of Art (1993) and remained in London until his permanent return to South Africa in 2006.

Phokela has established a distinguished career both locally and internationally. He played an advisory role in establishing The Bag Factory, Johannesburg (1990) and was awarded a year-long residency at Delfina Studio Trust, London (1993). He was also one of the founding members of the Gasworks Studios, London (1994 – 2005), producing studio work as well as participating in the International Residency Programme. This inspired him to do volunteer work for The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1995 and led to his participation in a residency programme in Senegal through the British Council (1997). He is also a recipient of the Decibel Award from the Arts Council of England (2004).

Phokela’s prominent solo shows include Mineral Awesome: Ode to the Fountain of Zama Zama at Gallery 1957, Accra, Ghana (2024); Only Sun In the Sky Knows How I Feel (A Lucid Dream) at Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, Cape Town (2021 –2023); A World Sacred and Profane, Gallery AOP, Johannesburg (2015), Collateral, Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein (2012); I Love My Neighbours, a retrospective at the Standard Bank Gallery, Johannesburg (2009); Compendium, KwaZulu Natal Society of Arts, Durban (2007); Translation, Johannesburg Art Gallery, Johannesburg (2006); ); Imagine Where You’ll Be, Gallery MOMO, Johannesburg (2005) and others.

He has participated in numerous notable group exhibitions such as Still (the) Barbarians at EVA Limerick Open, Limerick, (2016); New Painting at the KwaZulu-Natal Society of Arts in Durban, UNISA Art Gallery in Pretoria and Johannesburg Art Gallery in Johannesburg (2006); Body of Evidence at the National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC (2006) and the critically acclaimed 2nd Johannesburg Biennale titled Trade Routes: History and Geography, Johannesburg (1997).

Phokela was represented in the South African Pavilion at the Venice Biennale (2013), and his work can be found internationally in the collections of the National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC; in London at the Delfina Studio Trust; the London Arts Council Collection; and the South African High Commission. In South Africa, he is represented in the art holdings of BHP Billiton, Southern Collection, Scheryn Art Collection, the Johannesburg Art Gallery, the SABC and the Iziko South African National Gallery, amongst others.

SOURCE
‘Johannes Phokela,’ Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, https://zeitzmocaa.museum/artists/johannes-phokela/