Artist Database

Mbuso Hlongwa was born in 1977 in a town called Chesterville in Thekwini (Durban) in the KwaZulu Natal Province. He attended Ogwini Comprehensive High school in Umlazi, where he developed his skills of Woodwork, Carpentry and he then finished at Khombindlela High School. Having attained the skills, he taught himself Sign Writing, painting Murals, and did home sign numbers for people of Richards Bay. As a self-taught visual artist, he continued until he was perfect in being creative in doing signs and murals, He was then asked to teach Fine Art and Crafts to young students after school as an extra curriculum in Esikhawini Township. As an independent artist for more than 20yrs, In Cape Town some of his work was exhibited in Stellenbosch gallery at an event called Art for Cancer charity, Ghetto gallery and his recently artwork was selected as beautiful portrait at RUST-EN-VREDE Gallery for the Portrait Award 2021which is being exhibited.

Each piece Mbuso creates reflects on people and things around him, every portraiture is created in the effort to grow and nature his work. Mbuso Hlongwa explores his curiosity with people who show emotions, in experimenting with light and being amazed on how light can shape or impact a painting. The fascination of people and things around him manifest through his work His paintings are titled in IsiZulu to carry the joys and tribulations that he has faced in life, past or present.

“I fear sometimes If I don’t paint what I feel, it will torment me, so I carry on and celebrate what I have been gifted with”