Leisure …
MEET BLESSING NGOBENI, STANDARD BANK YOUNG ARTIST 2020 Young Artist for Art,
T
far, the artist cites his tumultuous
Blessing Ngobeni, is proof
past as both a marker for growth
that above all else, innovation
and an example of the ability to
and perseverance will see you
succeed as an artist regardless
come out on top, no matter your
of your academic or economic
background.
background.
he 2020 Standard Bank
Born in Tzaneen, Limpopo,
Discussing his journey thus
“From then until now so much
Ngobeni lived through a difficult
has happened,” says Ngobeni.
childhood and subsequently ran
“From the Reinhold Cassirer Art
away to Johannesburg at the age
Award in 2012, to The IMPACT
of 10. As a teenager, he became
Award and the Mail&Guardian 200
involved in petty crime and was
young South Africans mention
arrested. It was during his time in
in 2013. Travelling, meeting
jail that Ngobeni engaged with art
great artists and heroes through
through the Tsoga (Wake Up) Arts
my career. The journey that my
Project and decided to become an
creative practice has taken me
artist.
on came as a complete surprise.
Today, Ngobeni is known for his innovative style of painting as well as his drive and ability to tackle
It’s become a living dream, you know?” Another important moment
hefty subject matter through
in Ngobeni’s career came when a
his work, frequently calling into
significant collection of his works
question disparity, corruption,
was stolen from a gallery in the
and structures of power and
city that was selling his work.
domination throughout history.
Up until that point, he had been
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SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019
