Tumelo Mphela

Born in 1995 in the rural village of Mokopane, Limpopo, Tumelo Mphela was encouraged early on by his teachers at Madibane High School, who recognized his artistic talent. His formative years, including experiences in the villages of Mapela, inspired a lifelong exploration of community, land, and memory through art.

Based in Johannesburg, Tumelo Mphela studied Fine and Applied Arts at Tshwane University of Technology. Initially drawn to pencil and charcoal for their subtle textures, he has since expanded his practice to include sculpture, portraiture, and mixed media. His work creates sensory experiences that highlight socio-political issues such as domination, displacement, and oppression, with a particular focus on the environmental and social impact of mining in rural communities.

Portraiture plays a central role in his work, sculpting human faces that convey stories of loss, resilience, and hope. Rendered in shades of green and grey, the closed eyes in his portraits reflect displacement, while the colour palette evokes land stripped for mineral extraction. Matchsticks appear in many works as a metaphor for power, control, and transformation, often held by children to symbolize both vulnerability and latent strength.

Tumelo Mphela’s art is deeply personal, sometimes portraying his younger sister, and serves as both a tribute to human resilience and a quiet protest against the costs of so-called progress. His work encourages dialogue around ownership, environmental justice, and the enduring spirit of affected communities.

He has exhibited widely, including Whispers of Home (duo with Theophelus Rikhotso, Trent Gallery, Pretoria, 2025), A Flash of Remembrance (Terracontemporary Art Gallery, Pretoria East, 2024), and Echoes of Place (The Viewing Room Art Gallery, Pretoria, 2024).

He is represented by The Artist Gallery, Cape Town.