Dumisani Sibisi was born in Soweto during 1962, where he continues to live to this day. At a young age, he copied drawings from textbooks at Emawena Primary School. Before long, he drew everything around him. An art teacher at Enkanyezini Higher Primary School recognized his talent and gave him art lessons. He studied under the late Sydney Kumalo and his colleague Ezrom Legae at Jabulani Technical High School. He worked with them for three years at their studio, exhibiting in Soweto community halls. Dumisani Sibisi won his first award from the Association of Art in Johannesburg when he was fifteen.


Dumisani’s work is rooted in politics and poverty. In 1984 he was arrested and detained for political drawings and paintings while studying at Jabulani Technical School. He paints three dimensional artworks with a muddy brown and gray palette, recording the reality of what he sees. The emptiness of the landscapes depicts the deprivation of life’s struggle. Streets are starkly empty, with main figures burdened by physical loads and or a feeling of loss. Our paintings bring this together with a message of hope.

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Dumisani Sibisi

A brief summery of Dumisani Sibisi's achievements.

1975

Trained with Sydney Kumalo and Ezrom Legae
Won an award at the Maize Boards Art Competition
Won an award at Groupshow SA
 

1977

Won an award at the Association of Art Johannesburg
 

1977 1984

Studied at Jabulani Technical School
 

1984

Detained during the public violence at Jabulani because of political drawings / paintings.
1986 - 1988

Taught arts and crafts part-time at Winnie Ngwekazi
 

1989

Taught art part time.
Assisted teachers at Winnie Ngwekazi Primary School - sponsored by Du Pont
Exhibited with contemporary artists at Serendipity Gallery - JHB
 

1990

Exhibited with contemporary artists in Australia
Exhibited at ‘Leading African Artists’ at Dom Pedro Marina - Portugal
Exhibied in a group show with South African black businessmen – USA
Exhibited at Serendipity Gallery – JHB
Commissioned - Illustrations for ‘James Sofasonke Mpanza - The Father of Soweto’
 

1991

Exhibited at Serendipity Gallery – JHB
Exhibited at ‘Iketsetse Art Exposition’ - JHB
Exhibited at ‘Artworks from Important Local Artists’ - Berman Gallery – JHB
 

1992

Exhibited at ‘Art, Craft and Jazz for Africa’ - Pretoria

1993

Exhibited at ‘Cultural Diversity’ - Natalie Knight Gallery – JHB
Exhibited at ‘South African Art’ - Knight Galleries International –Toronto Canada
 

1994

Exhibited at ‘Creating Peace from the Pieces’ - Natalie Knight Gallery - JHB
Exhibited at ‘Windows on the New South Africa’ -Knight Galleries International – Toronto Canada
 

1996

Exhibited at ‘Tomorrow is Now’ - Knight Galleries International – Toronto Canada
 

1997

Exhibited at ‘Images of Freedom’ - Arts and Events Gallery – Toronto Canada
 

2000 Work commissioned by the MBV Consulting Group
 

2002

Commissioned by International Cricket Council to produce SA national billboard.
 

High resolution images and price available on request.