ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Born in Grahamstown, He is a young and largely self-taught artist. Though he studied at the Port Elizabeth College majoring in Graphic Design, Banele has evolved and developed over the years from his background as a self-taught artist devoting his time between his studio practice and giving art classes at the Masifunde Learner Development NGO based in Walmer township.
A recent exploration using found objects has seen his art works and mediums change and evolve, the objects utilised includes metal, boards, wood and plastic canisters and canvasses metaphorically expressed. His works focuses on community and the social lives of the majority of black South Africans, documenting scenes from everyday life. Initially, a majority of his works utilised oil on zinc currently he uses found objects like bolts nuts, steel, metal, wire, nails, timber and so forth in his sculpture pieces.
Banele believes that in order to serve historical notes or contemporary references, his preponderant metaphor is the documentation of historical and everyday lifestyle and livelihood in black neighbourhoods. Banele’s works are fluid and captures the industriousness of labour with vibrant colours.
EDUCATION
Banele’s formal art training plays no vital role in his narratives as evidenced in his overall technical delivery in any material of his choice. Though he studied art and design briefly at Russell Road College before seeking arts training within NGO run tutelage, his works distinguishes itself by his approach and execution.
AWARDS
2015 – FRUITS OF DEMOCRACY- Gold Award Honouree of excellence in the category of arts and culture 2014- Nelson Mandela Bay
2016 – Cape Town International Art Fair, Cape Town
– Ambassador’s Footprint, Galerie NOKO, Port Elizabeth
2014 – The NewNowNext Eastern Cape Emerging artist’s competition – Second Prize, Gallery Noko, Port Elizabeth
2011 – New Signatures – Merit Award, Artec Community art gallery, Port Elizabeth
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2015
Johannesburg Art Fair, Johannesburg
Fresh Produce, Turbine Art Fair, Johannesburg
The Factor X Discourse, Galerie Noko, Port Elizabeth
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2014
NewNowNext Eastern Cape Contemporary Emerging Artists, Galerie Noko
Wish you were here – Athenaeum, Port Elizabeth
Singobani? Siyaphi? Sisingiselephi? Athenaeum, Port Elizabeth
City Illuminated, Two Man exhibition, GFI Gallery, Port Elizabeth
Group Show, Gallery Guichard, Chicago Illinois-USA
Who’s who? What’s New, Nelson Mandela Art Museum, Port Elizabeth
2013
The South African Bridge to Chicago #2 – Gallery Guichard, Chicago, Illinois, USA
2012
The South African Bridge to Chicago- Gallery Guichard, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Who’s who? What’s New? – Nelson Mandela Art Museum, Port Elizabeth
Reflections on women- Albany Museum- Grahamstown
2011
Artec New signatures- Artec Gallery, Port Elizabeth
Artec’s Annual exhibition- Artec Gallery, Port Elizabeth
Who’s who? What’s New, Nelson Mandela Art Museum, Port Elizabeth
Selected Eastern Cape Artists, Athenaeum, Port Elizabeth
Who’s Who What’s New- Nelson Mandela Art Museum, Port Elizabeth
2005
Isandla Paper Studio
2004
Egazini Outreach Project Group Show, Isandla Paper Studio
COLLECTIONS
Mandela Bay Development Agency
Rand Merchant Bank
PPC
Shawshank Construction
Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism
