Herder

Edward Selematsela

Edward Selematsela, born in 1966 in the rural village of Ga-Modjadji, Limpopo, South Africa, is a celebrated visual artist known for his evocative landscape paintings and deep commitment to youth development through art. His work draws inspiration from his childhood memories and the pride, humanity, and simple life of the people in rural Limpopo. His art is widely recognized both locally and internationally for its emotional depth and technical excellence.

From a young age, Edward displayed a passion for art, which led him to study art and business at Eastside College (now Johannesburg College) and later pursue a Fine Arts degree at the University of South Africa (UNISA). In the 1990s, he met the late Dulcie Robinson, an esteemed Johannesburg artist, who became his mentor and collaborator. Together, they co-founded the Little Artists School in 1995, a groundbreaking initiative that has since empowered over 2,800 disadvantaged youth through art education.

Edward’s commitment to the arts extends beyond his personal practice. He volunteers three days a week teaching children and youth in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, continuing the legacy of the Little Artists School, which has been supported by Deutsche Bank since 2004. In 2006, Edward accompanied six of his students to London after they won the Deutsche Bank Art Award during the Urban Age Exhibition at the Johannesburg Art Gallery.

His accolades include the 1997 Merit of Excellence Award from the French Cultural Centre in Pessac, Bordeaux, and multiple wins in national art competitions such as Black Like Us, sponsored by Black Like Me and Deutsche Bank South Africa. He was also named Most Improved Artist by Manor Gallery and Webber Wentzel Bowens in 2006 for his impact on youth through art.

Edward has exhibited widely at prestigious venues including the Johannesburg Art Gallery, ABSA Art Gallery, Pretoria Art Museum, Alliance Française, Circa Rosebank, Kim Kubiak Gallery (USA), Sasol Rosebank, Mercedes-Benz Gala in Cape Town, Frankfurt, Munich, and with The Travelling Art Gallery in Germany.

His works are held in numerous prominent collections such as Deutsche Bank SA, the South African Embassy in Madagascar, Johannesburg City Council, Development Bank of SA, University of Johannesburg, Coca-Cola SA, L’Oréal, Caledonia Mining, and Vox United USA. Collectors from countries including the
USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, England, Colombia, Namibia, Netherlands, and New Zealand have invested in his art.

Edward Selematsela continues to live his passion daily — creating, teaching, and sharing the transformative power of art.

Edward Selematsela is represented by The Artists Gallery in Cape Town.