Johannes Phokela

Johannes Phokela (born 1966

When Phokela was a child he witnessed the Soweto uprising and later created memorials regarding the event, including a statue of Teboho MacDonald Mashinini on the grounds of Morris Isaacson High School unveiled on 1 May 2010, and a large sculptural mural of a book sitting in a lot opposite of the school.

Phokela's works are displayed at the South African National Gallery, the Smithsonian National Museum for African Art in the United States of America, and the South African High Commission in London.

Phokela has lived and worked in both London and Johannesburg.

Career Phokela's artistic practice is primarily composed of oil on canvas painting in the style of older Dutch Golden Age painting, often Phokela's paintings will include white grids as well.

Phokela is influenced by traditional Western mediums, primarily using oil paint. Phokela takes inspiration from artists such as Peter Paul Rubens

Phokela's most recognized work is his 2004 painting, Apotheosis.

Exhibitions

Johannes Phokela, Rack Gallery, London, May - July 1998 Johannes Phokela, I like my Neighbours, Johannesburg, South Africa; Gallery MOMO, 2009 Johannes Phokela, The World of the Sacred and the Profane, Johannesburg, South Africa; Gallery AOP, 2015 Johannes Phokela, ONLY SUN IN THE SKY KNOWS HOW I FEEL – (A LUCID DREAM), Cape Town, Zeitz Mocaa Museum, 2021