South African artist Johannes Phokela (b. 1966) studied at the Federated Union of Black Artists (FUBA) in Johannesburg before relocating to London He completed a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art at the University of the Arts (Camberwell) and then a master’s degree at the Royal College of Art. During this period, the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square became a haven for the young artist and he was particularly struck by the Old Masters and paintings from the Dutch Golden Age.
He reinterprets these ‘traditional’ works but always with a postmodern twist, often referencing violence and political unrest in his home country.
For example, in his depiction of St Sebastian, the martyr’s wounds have been caused by a modern AK-47 assault rifle. Phokela was honoured with a major retrospective at the Standard Bank Gallery in Johannesburg in 2009.
×South African artist Johannes Phokela (b. 1966) studied at the Federated Union of Black Artists (FUBA) in Johannesburg before relocating to London He completed a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art at the University of the Arts (Camberwell) and then a master’s degree at the Royal College of Art. During this period, the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square became a haven for the young artist and he was particularly struck by the Old Masters and paintings from the Dutch Golden Age.
He reinterprets these ‘traditional’ works but always with a postmodern twist, often referencing violence and political unrest in his home country.
For example, in his depiction of St Sebastian, the martyr’s wounds have been caused by a modern AK-47 assault rifle. Phokela was honoured with a major retrospective at the Standard Bank Gallery in Johannesburg in 2009.
Read More
We can't find products matching the selection.
There are currently no artworks by this artist available on Latitudes.
Please contact
info@latitudes.online
if you would like us to source works.
