Black Printmakers in South Africa
Black printmakers have a long history in the South African
art world. Many of South Africa’s top Black artists, both past
and present are also printmakers. Black printmakers who
are established artists are survivors of the dysfunctional
society that existed during the apartheid era and are a
constant source of inspiration to a younger generation of
Black printmakers.
There are a few Black printmakers who worked almost
exclusively in print. Among these are the late John
Muafangejo (a Namibian artist), Dan Rakgoathe and
Cyprian Shilakoe. All three artists played a valuable role in
establishing a sound base for future generations of black
printmakers to work on and their work is highly collectable.
All three studied at the Rorkes Drift community art centre.
Rorkes Drift was also the educational home of some of the
country’s top contemporary Black printmakers. Sam
Nhlengethwa, Dumisani Mabaso and Tony Nkotsi all
studied there. These artists continue to work in print and are
involved in teaching the new generation of Black
printmakers that includes Osiah Masekoameng, Trevor
Theloe and Robert Maledu. The latter have all studied and
worked at the Artist Proof studio, which is a community
printmaking centre in Newtown, Johannesburg. The work
produced at the studio tends to have a strong social
message and is a way for the young artists here to explore
issues of culture, tradition, politics and change.
Nhlanhla Xaba was instrumental in establishing the Artist
Proof Studio and until his tragic death in a fire that gutted the
studio was producing some of the finest prints made by any
Black printmaker or by any printmaker in the country for that
matter. To view work by some of these artists
please go to www.artprintsa.com
Tamar Mason, artist and writer focussing on original prints
and investment art in Southren Africa
