Mmutla Kgwangka

Mmutla Mashishi, born on August 5th, 1976, in the village of Driefontein, Limpopo, is a self-taught South African artist whose creative journey began in his youth. Raised by his grandparents while his mother worked on farms, Mashishi's passion for drawing emerged during his teenage years, despite challenges and occasional punishment for using his schoolbooks as sketchpads. Undeterred by setbacks, his love for art only grew, and he later expanded his practice to include sculpture.

In high school, his teachers recognized his talent and encouraged him to enter art competitions. Supported by his grandparents, who provided with art materials, and his mother, who brought home art supplies from work, Mashishi began to hone his craft. Though he aspired to study art after matriculating, he struggled academically and initially worked as a security officer between 2000 and 2001.

A turning point in his career came when a friend introduced him to renowned sculptor Anton Smit, who invited Mashishi to showcase his work. Impressed by his talent, Smit offered him a studio space, where Mashishi worked from 2000 to 2005. Afterward, he returned to working from home but faced difficulties managing his art business. In 2006, he sought new opportunities and connected with sculptor Angus Taylor, who welcomed him into his studio until 2007.

Determined to pursue his own artistic vision, Mashishi began experimenting with recycled plastic, a material that had long intrigued him. Despite initial fears about its reception, he pushed forward, studying the properties and potential of what he now refers to as "plastic clay". Drawing on his experiences at the Anton Smit Sculpture Park, Mashishi mastered this unconventional medium, which has since become his signature material for sculpture. Today, his innovative use of plastic reflects his resilience and commitment to evolving as an artist, making his work both distinctive and meaningful in the contemporary art scene.