PHILLEMON HLUNGWANI

(b. 1975, Limpopo, South Africa)

Phillemon Hlungwani is recognised as one of the most accomplished contemporary artists now working in South Africa. Known predominantly for his large-scale charcoal drawings depicting scenes from rural life as well as formal and informal settlements, his work is rooted deeply in a sense of community and the traditional values that endure there. Many of his recent drawings include proverbs in his first language – xiTsonga – as ­titles. These proverbs are often difficult to translate into English, but they communicate an essential moral idea – showing how members of a particular community are either sustaining or betraying the values of the people living there. The people are inseparable from their environment, although his more recent images have introduced colour into the clothing of his protagonists to help them stand out in all their vibrancy and humanity. The scenes he depicts are usually full of motion and life – the characters bursting with thoughts, opinions and yearnings, which are communicated further through the arcs and lines that weave the different parts of each drawing together. Everything is connected. There is no distinction between the internal or the external, the animate or inanimate, the material or the spiritual.

Hlungwani studied at the Johannesburg Art Foundation before studying printmaking at the Artist Proof Studio. He later completed a teacher’s training course in art at the WITS School of Art. Sponsored by the Ampersand Foundation Fellowship, Hlungwani made an extensive study tour of printmaking studios in the United States. In addition to his drawing and graphic work, Hlungwani has completed many murals including at the Standard Bank Art Gallery (for the Picasso in Africa exhibition) and a mural for Bell Dewar and Hall. Hlungwani has been commissioned by the Johannesburg Development Agencies, MTN and the South African Governmental offices. He was a finalist for the ABSA Gallery competition in 2001, 2002 and 2009.

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2023
Ku Tirha Hi Matimbba Swa Vuyerisa | Hard Work Pays Off, Everard Read, London

2022
Manana, I Wa Nkoka Eka Mina (Mother, You Are So Special To Me), Knysna Fine Art, South Africa

2021
A Wu Xi Tivi Lexi Nga Mbilwini Ya Mani, Everard Read, Franschhoek, South Africa 

2019
PHILLEMON HLUNGWANI: NTSAKO WA XIBELANI, Everard Read, Johannesburg, South Africa

2018
PHILLEMON HLUNGWANI: Nwansati wa matimba a nga heli mongo, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa

2017
Rirandzu Ra Manana / The Love Of Women, Everard Read Gallery, London, UK

2016
From Giyani to Alexandra, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg and Grande Provence Gallery, South Africa

2014
Mi Kondzo Ya Tinghawi/In the Footsteps of Heroes, Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees, South Africa
Qunu Drawings, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

2013
Cullinan Drawings sponsored by Petra Diamonds plc, John Martin Gallery, London, UK

2011
New Works, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa
Solo Exhibition, Knysna Fine Art, Knysna, South Africa

2009
Recent Works, The Irma Stern Museum, Cape Town, South Africa
Tshungulo wuyisiwa e mahlweni (The Healing Process), Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

2008
Xitsonga I ndzuti wa Xigaza / The Tsonga is the Shadow of Xigaza, ABSA Gallery in Johannesburg, South Africa

2006
Recent Works, The Gallery Premises, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa

2000 
First one-man show in Soweto, sponsored by Kaya FM, The Sowetan, Sunday World and Absolut Vodka, Soweto, South Africa

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2025
Matter Matters: Artists & Their Media, Everard Read, London, UK

2019
SUMMER, Everard Read, London, UK
Southern Aspect - A Group Exhibition, Everard Read, London, UK

2016
Opening Gallery Exhibition, CIRCA Gallery, London, UK

2015
1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair, London, UK

2014
FNB Johannesburg Art Fair, Johannesburg, South Africa

2013 
Art 13, London, UK

2012 
The 4th Edition of India Modern and Contemporary Art Fair, India Art Fair, India
The 21st birthday celebration of Artist Proof Studio exhibition, Johannesburg Art Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa
FNB Johannesburg Art Fair, Johannesburg, South Africa

2011
Multiple Views of a Singular Beast, Circa and Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa
Art Angels Charity Art Auction

2010 
A View from the South, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

2009
RENDEZVOUS Focus original lithography, an exhibition of more than 100 South African and French artists’ artworks touring and exhibited in South Africa
The 50s: An Interpretation, Gallery on the Square, Nelson Mandela Square, South Africa

2008 
Knysna Fine Art, Knysna, South Africa
David Brown Fine Art, Johannesburg, South Africa
Aspire Contemporary Art Gallery, Pretoria, South Africa
Gallery on the Square, Nelson Mandela Square, South Africa

2007 
Thomson Art Gallery in Melville, South Africa
SASOL, Rosebank, South Africa

2006 
Gallery on the Square, Nelson Mandela Square
Spark Gallery
Art on Paper
UJ former RAU Gallery

2005 
Touring exhibition to the Gulf of OMAN Community Art Center, Qatar Hotel, Salala

2003 
The Gallery Premises and the Johannesburg Art Gallery

2000 
Heritage Day for Arts and Culture Exhibition, Belgium

1997 
Polokwane Art Museum, South Africa

COLLECTIONS

Ascot Diamonds
Bell, Dewar and Hall, Johannesburg
Bidvest
BLP Merchandising Solutions
Brait,
Centurion Hotel, Pretoria
Ellerman House, Cape Town
Irma Stern Museum (UCT), Cape Town
Johannesburg Development Agency
Karoo Hotel outside Cape Town
Medscheme Holdings
MTN print exchange
Nando’s
Nedbank, Johannesburg
Norman Borlaug Institute for International Culture, Texas
Raphael Suites and Michelangelo Towers, Sandton
Rand Merchant Bank Corporate Collection
Sasol Collection
South African Reserve Bank
Standard Bank Art Gallery, Johannesburg
UNISA Art Collection
Vodacom