Blessing Ngobeni

Blessing Ngobeni (b. 1985, Tzaneen, Limpopo) is a fine artist known for his dynamic abstract artworks that incorporate a variety of objects. His art addresses profound themes such as self-enrichment, power abuse, and political corruption, drawing from his personal experiences and the socio-political landscape of South Africa. Ngobeni's journey into the art world is marked by resilience and transformation.

After a turbulent childhood filled with hardships, he discovered his passion for art while serving a prison sentence for robbery. During this time, he engaged with the Tsoga (Wake Up) Arts Project, which was instrumental in igniting his love for art.

Upon his release, Ngobeni pursued art seriously, creating works that critique the corruption, incompetence, and duplicity of South Africa's ruling elite. His experiences of hardship heavily inform his powerful artworks, which challenge the betrayal of democratic ideals and highlight the expanding gap between the rich and poor.

In 2011, he was awarded the Reinhold Cassirer Award, leading to a residency at the Bag Factory in Johannesburg. Here, he interacted with veteran artists and visiting international artists, further refining his artistic practice. One notable outcome of this residency was the Emergency Exit exhibition, a collaboration with Nigerian artist Omega Udemba.

Ngobeni's unique style and critical perspective have made him a prominent figure in the contemporary art scene, with his works continuing to provoke thought and inspire change.