The Artist - Nkoali Nawa's Life 

Nawa hand over the art work to the Public Works Department

Nkoali Nawa is the most recognised artist in South Africa. His brilliant work captured worldwide recognition, he is also refereed as pioneer of black South African Art. The artist was born in Welkom, Free State.

Nawa was a goldminer, before he can proceed with his career in Art.  He completed blasting training in 1991, and was a union steward, but turned to art and later obtained a diploma and degree in fine art from Technikon Free State. Heexhibited in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Welkom. He has completed commissions for the Mineworker Development Agency, the National Union of Mineworkers, the Labour Research Service, and most recently Community House, in Salt River, Cape Town.

Nawa became a mentor at various schools in South Africa, fortunately schools such as Teto High School and Letsete Secondary School were honoured to have the best South African pioneer artist as their Visual Art mentor.   

                                                  

                                                             

Timeline:

1998–2001

 He obtained National Diploma (Fine Arts) and a B. Tech. From the Technicon Free State, Bloemfontein.

2002

He was a visiting artist at the Bag Factory, Johannesburg, and at the Great more Art Studios, Woodstock.

1996–2003

Lectured and taught art throughout South Africa.

2003

National Finalist, the Brett Kebble Awards, Cape Town.

His Exhibitions: 

1995 Annual student art exhibition, Central university of technology, Bloemfontein
1998 annual student art exhibition, Central university of technology, Bloemfontein.
2001 Spaza art gallery,Johannesburg.
2001 DC art gallery, Cape Town.
2002 Fordsburg artists studios, Johannesburg
2002 Outdoor gallery(Billboard) Johannesburg.
The Fort,Constitution Hill, Johannesburg.
2002 Greatmore Studios, Cape Town.
2002 South African International Trade Exhibition, Johannesburg.
2003 SA National Gallery Annex, Cape Town.
2003 Association for Visual Arts(member' s exhibition), Cape Town.
2003 Cape Town International Convention Centre, The Brett Kabbel Art Awards,Cape Town.
2004 Fortis Circus Theater, Scheveningen, Netherlands.
2004 Apartheid Museum, Ormonde, Johannesburg.
2005 Renault Showroom, Claremont, Cape Town.
2006 Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg.
2006 Latelier(Main Renault Show Room), Champs Elyseels Paris.
2007 Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg.
2008 Association for Visual Arts, Cape Town.

Nkoali Nawa's artwork in Johannesburg, Constitutional Hill.

            

           

Some of his brilliant artworks that went world wide. 

I am Thomas Lethoba, wrote this lifetime of Nkoali Nawa, because I was inspired by 

Mr Nkoali Nawa's work, and yes I had a chance to be  mentored by him during my time in Secondary school.

 "Art is pure; Art is Life; Art attracts; Arts inspires"

www.twitter.com/java_let