Reef Sithole

I’m a fine artist from Johannesburg. My style of work is contemporary neo-expressionism infused with pop art and surrealism, pulling strong references from my rough-yet-unique upbringing in Soweto. The dichotomy of what Soweto is, is largely what inspires my work till today. I also produce a wide scope of multimedia visual art, exploring nuanced digital design themes, techniques and usage of soundscapes. Eventually enrolled at the prestigious National School of The Arts, by the tender age of 8, I was already engaged in art classes by my parents. With the inherent ability for draughtsmanship, art was always encouraged as an avenue away from the hotbed for drugs and violence which exists in Soweto. My accumulating gallery experience includes Artist Residency with The Fourth (2021), Death Row Dinner (2021), Fede group exhibition (2022) and Cape Town Art Fair (2022) My work is essentially an amalgamation of niche techniques, such as stitching, infused to create a completely new style. It feels extremely inspired; like a proposition for a new way of painting. And within this work, you can see the influence of legendary artists such as Basquiat, Bacon, Matisse & Warhol, and more. I’m a punk at heart, and that’s what resonates through my paintings. I experiment in digital design and soundscapes, unlocking two alternative career paths as a reputable graphic designer.