THABISO

DAKAMELA

Inspired by day-to-day events and his sharp observance of social surroundings and experiences, Thabiso works from varied disciplines. Born in 1994, to a Venda father and Ndebele mother, the artist’s dual heritage has had a significant impact in his life; from the humble upbringing to building a name for
himself. Having practiced art professionally for well over a decade now, taking art in numerous group exhibitions and two solo shows to his name; Thabiso’s work has become prized collections in South Africa and the world at large. Featured in 2021 in The Art Times Magazine and SABC Tv’s Mzansi Insider among other notable platforms, his growth has made him one of the most sought-after creative minds in his community.

Thabiso’s recent work reconciles different aspects, components, and features of self. From the personality projected to the outside world, to the segments known only to ourselves, his works tend to illustrate and represent different parts of our nature, our character, our ego, and our temperament. Mimicking the unprecedented rhythm of the sea, he takes us through different factions of his own personality traits through the depiction of various personas that can be found in a specific locale. In this body of work, Dakamela creates expressive reflections of the vibrations and energies he encounters and notes the inextricable interconnectedness of all living beings.

Dakamela further notes the duality of life as he puts into perspective and contrasts light reflected in emotions such as joy, bliss, freedom, and contentment with the darker aspects of life such as guilt, pain, insecurities, and fear. Noting this, Dakamela advocates for the acknowledgment and balance of the two polarities of light and dark in attempts to centralize and ground oneself in the end and flow of life. Evocative of the eternal nature of the ocean, Dakamela predominantly uses shades of blue to explore notions of self- awareness, learning, spirituality, strength, and vulnerability and to express further the importance of introspective solitude balanced out with the amiable effect of companionship.

His technique and use of freedom in his oil strokes is almost reminiscent of Vincent Van Gogh’s, and yet his treatment of light and employment of contracts reminds us of the painters Rembrandt and Delacroix yet not void of the rich culture of the Afrocentric contemporary impressions. In recent years, Thabiso has been invited to showcase around the world, with recent upcoming projects in Miami, USA, and Germany in the summer. His work has influence also in other parts of Europe, Asia and central Africa.

Dakamela has also spearhead an artist assist project aimed at helping artists with working space, materials, and resources to sell their work and break out in the artists’ market. This has been coupled with the founding on the Dk’s Project House; a space that incubates artists on a yearly arrangement to aid in their growth and skill .

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