Tumelo Mphela

Born in 1995 in the rural village of Mokopane, located in Limpopo, Tumelo Mphela received early encouragement from his teachers at Madibane High School due to his artistic talents. These formative years in his hometown inspired him to pursue a career in the arts.

Currently residing in Johannesburg, Tumelo Mphela pursued a degree in Fine and Applied Arts at Tshwane University of Technology. Although he initially developed a strong affinity for pencil and charcoal drawings — appreciating the versatility of these mediums in creating intricate textures and subtle tonal shifts — he has since expanded his artistic repertoire to include a wide range of media, including sculpture. His artworks frequently tackle pressing social issues with the aim of evoking emotional responses from viewers.

Tumelo Mphela’s artistic passion lies in drawing and sculpting, using these mediums to create sensory experiences that direct attention to socio-political issues such as dominance and oppression. His subject matter is carefully selected to express specific emotions and to suggestively evoke underlying narratives. His work engages deeply with environmental concerns and the socio-political implications of land use in Africa, emphasizing that our natural resources are not infinite.

In many of his pieces, Tumelo Mphela uses matchsticks as a metaphor to signify power and action, especially in relation to the impact of mining on communities across South Africa. His works often depict children holding matchsticks, symbolizing both the destructive and transformative potential of mining. Children represent the future and bear the weight of decisions made in the present, embodying both vulnerability and latent strength.

Tumelo Mphela possesses an extraordinary talent for evoking emotions through his art, using each piece to craft a deeply personal and socially relevant experience. He often portrays his younger sister in his drawings and paintings, finding a therapeutic connection in the process. Every detail, texture, and vibrant colour he employs serves to heal his soul and bring him inner peace.

Tumelo Mphela collaborated with artist Theophelus Rikhotso in a duo exhibition, Whispers Of Home, at Trent Gallery, Pretoria, which opened in March 2025. He also participated in the group exhibition A Flash of Remembrance at Terracontemporary Art Gallery, Pretoria East, in September 2024. In December 2024, he featured in another duo exhibition, Echoes Of Place, at The Viewing Room Art Gallery, Pretoria.

Tumelo Mphela is represented by The Artist Gallery in Cape Town.