Sibusiso Mhlanga

Sibusiso Mhlanga is from Piggs Peak, Kingdom of Swaziland. At the tender age of 19, he started working at the Swazi Glass Craft factory (trading as Ngwenya Glass from 1979 and closing in 1985). Two of the most talented trainees were sent to Sweden to the renowned Kosta Glasbruk where they learned from leading artisans. Mhlanga was one of these talented young men.

Ngwenya Glass re-opened in 1987. Mhlanga was delighted to continue his specialised art of glassblowing. He has visited Sweden several times to work with and assist world-renowned master glassblower Jan Eric Ritzman. In July 1998, Mhlanga also had the great honour of assisting Ritzman at Pilchuck Glass School in Seattle, United States.

Mhlanga has worked with leading Dutch designer Peter Bremers and has held exhibitions in the Gallery Leon Salet in Maastricht, Holland and at the Edge Gallery in Cape Town. He has also exhibited at numerous galleries and venues in Swaziland and South Africa.

During workshops held at Ngwenya Glass, Mhlanga was privileged to work with world-renowned glass artists Peter Bremers, Jan-Erik Ritzman, Richard Price, Tim Shaw, Richard Jolley, Marco Lopulalan, François Arnaud, James Deveraux, and Davide Salvadore.

Artists statement:

Peter Bremers taught me so much about design and colour combinations. I blow glass because I met my mentor Jan-Erik Ritzman at Kosta Glasbruk in 1979. He has been my inspiration, teacher, and friend ever since.

083 263 6659 chas@ngwenyaglass.co.sz Ngwenya Glass

Spring (2022)

Recycled glass, hand blown

H:32 W:30 D:30cm