Thulani Gankca (b. 1993, Welkom, South Africa) is a self-taught, full-time contemporary multidisciplinary artist, professional printmaker, and painter. His work explores themes of culture, identity, and heritage through symbolic use of maize/corn and the imagery of the "suit and tie"—figures he refers to as the "corn people." These recurring motifs form part of a broader inquiry into the social and spiritual narratives rooted in his personal and ancestral history.
Raised between Gauteng and Engcobo village in the Eastern Cape, Gankca’s art is deeply informed by his life journey and the duality of urban and rural experiences. His creative practice blends traditional and contemporary techniques, anchored by a strong visual storytelling language.
In 2023, he earned a Professional Printmaking Certificate from Artist Proof Studio (APS), where he was awarded the prestigious Ubuntu Award during his second year. His work was also selected for the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP4) and commissioned by the National Museum under the mentorship of Christiaan Diedericks in 2024. Gankca holds a Diploma in Human Resources Management (Ekurhuleni West College, 2018) and completed a bridging course in Archives and Records Management through UNISA in 2024. He is currently enrolled to pursue a BA in Visual Multimedia Arts at the University of South Africa in 2025.
Gankca has participated in several local and international group exhibitions. His practice continues to evolve as he navigates themes of self-discovery and cultural memory. He lives and works full-time from Ellis House Studios in Johannesburg.
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Thulani Gankca (b. 1993, Welkom, South Africa) is a self-taught, full-time contemporary multidisciplinary artist, professional printmaker, and painter. His work explores themes of culture, identity, and heritage through symbolic use of maize/corn and the imagery of the "suit and tie"—figures he refers to as the "corn people." These recurring motifs form part of a broader inquiry into the social and spiritual narratives rooted in his personal and ancestral history.
Raised between Gauteng and Engcobo village in the Eastern Cape, Gankca’s art is deeply informed by his life journey and the duality of urban and rural experiences. His creative practice blends traditional and contemporary techniques, anchored by a strong visual storytelling language.
In 2023, he earned a Professional Printmaking Certificate from Artist Proof Studio (APS), where he was awarded the prestigious Ubuntu Award during his second year. His work was also selected for the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP4) and commissioned by the National Museum under the mentorship of Christiaan Diedericks in 2024. Gankca holds a Diploma in Human Resources Management (Ekurhuleni West College, 2018) and completed a bridging course in Archives and Records Management through UNISA in 2024. He is currently enrolled to pursue a BA in Visual Multimedia Arts at the University of South Africa in 2025.
Gankca has participated in several local and international group exhibitions. His practice continues to evolve as he navigates themes of self-discovery and cultural memory. He lives and works full-time from Ellis House Studios in Johannesburg.
