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Tatham Art Gallery
Serving Msunduzi through the Visual Arts
Siyabonga Sikosana on Edendale Excels - 7 February to 22 June 2008
Siyabonga Sikosana, the youngest of them all, and the only living artist, shows how Township Art continues to tackle socio-political themes using humour. He follows the trend started by pioneer artists like Bhengu, but has introduced new techniques and approaches to art. He uses his background of Willowfountain as a symbol of post-Apartheid South African township life, where the residents received little of the promises made to them since the 1994 election campaigns.
Home > Articles > Edendale Excels > Siyabonga Sikosana > Sikosana Timeline
Timeline - Siyabonga Sikosana (b. 28 February 1978)
- 1978: Born in Willowfountain in Pietermaritzburg to Joyce and Themba Sikosana
- 1984: Early education in Willowfountain Primary. Later moved to Eastwood Secondary.
- 1995: Starts to attend Thursday art classes run by Mduduzi Xakaza at the Tatham Art Gallery and encouraged by Mrs. Amanda Lawrence to pursue art. He participated in the Natal Biennale art exhibition.
- 1995-2001: Active participant in art workshops and exhibitions organized by the Tatham Art Gallery. Co-ordinated and conducted art workshops for the Tatham Art Gallery.
- 1996-2001: Participated in the Echo Craft Bazaar in the Tatham Art Gallery.
- 1998-2000: Participated in various group exhibitions, including the Golden Scenario Art Project and Heritage exhibitions held in the Durban Art Gallery.
- 1999: Two- man exhibition entitled 'Burning Canvas' in the BAT Centre, Durban.
- 2000: Matric in Northbury Secondary School.Received numerous awards on art at school and exhibited in the Matric Schools Art Exhibition of 2001. He did illustrations for poetry anthologies, Fidelities VI and X, for Kobus Moolman.
- 2001-2003: Durban Institute of Technology to study textile design and technology, funded by the Friends of the Tatham Art Gallery (FOTAG) and Syfrets Charity Trust. He was commissioned to do a mural for the Dept. of Health (KZN) in Pietermaritzburg.
- 2003-present: Employed as a chief designer of artificial landscapes for Rock-It! Swimming pool Constructions. He designed a book cover and illustrations for the Durban Botanical Institute's book, Ulwazi lwamaZulu ngezimila.
- 2003: Commission for artificial landscape in the Ushaka Marine's Ushaka Island working with Ukhozi construction.
- 2004: First solo exhibition in Tatham Art Gallery: 'This is where we live'
- 2005-2006: Participated in the Art in the Park Exhibition.
- 2007: He was selected to represent South Africa in New Zealand with Lungelo Gumede in New Zealand's art in the park exhibition. Participated in Dubai exhibition of artificial rock structure.
- 2008: Participated in Art in the Park Exhibition
Collections
- Collections
- Carnegie Art Gallery, Newcastle
- ESKOM
- KZN Department of Health
- Private collectors (local and overseas)
- Tatham Art Gallery