Shakes in Paris

Shakes Tembani

Meshack “Shakes” Tembani, born in 1975, is a South African artist whose work transforms the everyday experiences of his community into vibrant, stylized narratives. Growing up in the New Crossroads township of Cape Town, where he continues to live and work, Tembani’s artistic journey began with an early passion for art, leading him to explore various mediums, including painting and mosaic.

Tembani’s distinctive technique employs bold, flat colors and graphic edges, creating a stylized and almost naïve aesthetic. This approach invites viewers to find beauty in the seemingly ordinary aspects of life. His subjects often include strong female figures from his neighborhood – women who are breadwinners, churchgoers, single parents, and entrepreneurs – highlighting their pivotal roles within the community.

His educational background includes a Certificate in Visual Arts from the Community Arts Project in 1998, followed by a Certificate in Screen-printing, Papier-mâché, Fabric Painting, and Craft from Ruth Prowse College of Art and Design in 1999. He further obtained a Diploma in Adult Education from the University of Cape Town in 2003 and completed a Product Design and Development Course at Madesa in 2004.

Tembani was a resident artist at the Castle of Good Hope Art Studios from 2007 to 2011.

Throughout his career, Tembani has held solo exhibitions, including “UnQulo” (2011) and “Just Dogs” (2009) in Cape Town. He has also participated in numerous group exhibitions both locally and internationally, such as “KNOOP / KNOP” at the University of Stellenbosch in 2020 and “We’ve Come to Take You Home” at the UCT, Cape Town, in the same year. His work has been commissioned by various companies and institutions and is part of several collections globally, including Haven Holdings in Johannesburg, Robben Island MPLC, the
Department of Economic Development and Tourism in Cape Town, and Nando’s.

In 2023, Tembani presented “The Swag Series”, an exhibition that explored identity, culture, and self-expression through his distinctive artistic lens.

Through his art, Tembani continues to celebrate the resilience and beauty of his community, transforming everyday moments into compelling visual narratives that resonate with audiences both in South Africa and around the world.

Shakes Tembani is represented by The Artists Gallery in Cape Town.