Nkululeko Mahlangu

Nkululeko Mahlangu is a Soweto based artist of Koi Heritage and a product of the South Western Townships. He produces contemporary pieces that transcend canvas and street art. The subject matter has a significant focus on African antiquity  and lends dialogue to the historical and cultural influences of modern day Urban Youth in a current paradigm.

​

Mahlangu’s first encounter with art was at an early age while in primary school and later when he was mentored by the late Mr. Keith Moletsane.

He went on to discover art not only as a way of life but as a career. In 1999 he enrolled at Dobsonville College (PELMAMA) to pursue studies in visual arts, specialising and gaining knowledge in the skills of drawing, painting, sculpting, graphic design, history of art and business management. He completed his studies up to N6 level in 2004 and showed excellence in his practice receiving merit awards in sculpture which became his majoring course.

In 2005 Mahlangu was employed by Ochre Media as an assistant designer for the Kliptown Open Air Project, contracted for three years. On completion of the project, he decided to pursue visual arts on a permanent basis, practicing as a solo career artist and freelancer. Since then, Mahlangu has participated in a number of group exhibitions managing to sell his work to individual collectors, local, international, private and corporate art collectors.

​

His timeline as a creative and artist includes a learnership at the Design Center after receiving accolades of merit for his work in Sculpture and visual art. He has showcased at Kliptown Hotel, Gauteng Legislature, Yeoville Recreation Center, Regina Mundi. Gallery 7 Constitution Hill, EST 1912, Soweto Theater and Vilakazi Street – which are all key heritage art and culture sites.

​

Mahlangu as a cultural activist and worker is also a founding member of two companies, The Genesis Art Collective, Post ’77 and also contributed his skills to a number of Soweto youth based art initiatives. In 2016 he won the Vodacom Soweto Towers Art Competition, his work still adores the iconic towers. Recently in 2021, he was also one of the finalists in the Sasol New Signatures Art Completion. Not only a professional artist, street artist, mentor and entrepreneur, Mahlangu has collaborated with a number of artist both locally and internationally, Notably Lady Aiko (US) and Mohammed Ali (United Kingdom).

​

Coming from a disadvantaged background and having limited access to commercial development as an artist, Mahlangu has worked hard to find relevance by lending his art and skill to community development - He has not only facilitated the development of key cultural and heritage sites in marginalized communities but he has also committed himself to Arts education in schools by establishing an art studio at a school in his community - Hoernle Primary School, which offers free art classes to primary school learners in the community.

Currently Mahlangu is in residency at the Fields of Change Art Agriculture and Permaculture Residency in Emfuleni Municipality where he is merging his artistic practice with sustainable practice such as green art and food security to facilitate the positioning of the arts towards purpose and relevance in marginalized communities. One of his key flagship projects is The Dream Art Youth Residency for children and youth between the ages of 3 and 15. HIs first collaboration with the youth of Dreamlands has produced the Dream Art Youth in Residency Collection I which is currently on sale for the purpose of raising funds and resources to continue the Dream Art Youth Residency for artistic development of youth in marginalised communities.