Leroy Tumelo Mapholo

Leroy Mapholo is a violinist/multidisciplinary artist based in Johannesburg, tapping into the visual space by collaborating with visual artists. Leroy’s’ artistic journey began at a young age when he joined the Buskaid Soweto Strings Ensemble and toured internationally with the Orchestra. In 2007 Leroy was featured in Soweto Strings, a film by Mark Kidel which tells the extraordinary story of an outstanding music project. The journey continued with Buskaid and had the pleasure of performing for influential public figures like Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey. In 2020 Leroy worked with artists such as Dada Masilo for The Sacrifice project, and collaborated with Gudani Maswoliedza and Nkateko Hlongwane for the My Eyes are Open project.

 Leroy collaborated with Gudani Maswoliedza (photographer) and Nkateko Hlongwane (model) in a series artwork called ‘’My Eyes Are Open”. In this series he explores identity and the dynamics surrounding it through religion. The work is depicted by symbols both literally and metaphorically, divided into two parts: Inheritance and Transcendence. Inheritance questions the values of what/whom we inherit from, be it materialistic, genetic or cultural. Transcendence gravitates towards the taboo, embracing all that was looked down upon. “We oer our bodies to get a glimpse of our origin, creating a new form of inheritance in hopes that we come to full circle.”- Leroy Tumi Mapholo