Biography

Nomvula Millicent hoko was Born 29th October 1996 at SeBokeng, Vaal Johannesburg. She is From Soweto Johannesburg. currently working and studying in East London, EC. She matriculated 2014 at PJ Simelane Secondary School where she was exposed to Visual art,she was taught by one the established visual artist Senzeni Marasela and Mr Lucas Matjila who gave her a short mentorship and inspired her to practice art and develop her work. She then went to Artist proof studio where she was exposed to printmaking and developed love for mixed media in printmaking. She is currently studying Diploma in Fine arts at Walter Sisulu University where she is developing her skills and knowledge for her career to be able to step on new career endeavours. Nomvula also worked as a visual art assistant teacher at Pj simelani secondary school to give back to the community by giving her skills to the visual art students. She is currently the Printing Girls member, an organization for women who are printmakers creating phenomenal prints and exhibiting all around South Africa. Nomvula is a contemporary visual artist currently working in different techniques and very versatile visual artist.

Artist Statement 

Drawn from dreamscapes and religious journeys, my work explores spiritual experiences emerging through colour, form, and light. Collaborating photography and printmaking communicates a surreal space between the natural and supernatural. These supernatural dream spaces challenge the human psyche by opening a window to the metaphysical world to communicate with my spiritual journey. Conjures the mysteries of faith in my family. The  significance for African spirituality venerated as findings of salvation and healing. I lived in the presence of healers and pilgrim, formed investigations of my ancestors and my identity as a young woman  to find a meaning of purpose in everything I do and who am I. 

The fusion of art and spirituality has been a long-standing practice in Africa and some of the current generation of visual artists still channel portraits their ancestors to communicate messages to the living Delta Martin and Santu Mofokeng (Pensive vision of land and ritual) , Drawing  inspiration from dream-like conversations that connect the self and the ancestors. You find my work had oral traditions, power of narrative impulse, layering various shapes and, the Doyle pattern on the background is used to accentuate the long-lived interaction. The inexplicable form of communication is alluded to by layered floating organic forms which are perceived as portals to the spirit world. Reduction print is by nature a multi-layered medium which highlights these complex relationships.  The work forms an instilled meaning to my identity and purpose to my journey as a woman in process.