b. 1966 in Soweto, South Africa.
Johannes Phokela went to the UK to pursue a career in fine Art after a 3-years long diploma studies at FUBA Academy, Johannesburg. He achieved a Masters degree at the Royal College, 1993, having acquired his Bachelor Degree at Camberwell College of Art – (University of the Arts London), 1988-91; and a year’s course at St. Martins Central college of art – University of the Arts London), 1987/88. Phokela exhibited his work in S. Africa and around the world in both solo-shows and group-shows at the following places: Solos-shows: Oliewenhuis Museum, Bloemfontein – S. Africa 2012, STD Bank Gallery, Johannesburg – S. Africa 2009, KZNSA, Durban – S. Africa, Cafe GalleryProject/inIVA, London UK. Group-shows: Venice Biennale; Imaginary Fact, South African Pavillion, National Trust, A World Away, Dyrham – UK, 2012. Smithsonian Institute, Body of Evidence, Washington DC – USA, 2006. Centro Atlantico de Arte Moderna (CAAM) Erase me from who I’m, Canary Islands – Spain, 2006. Museum of African Art, Personal Effects, New York – USA, 2004. Museum Boijmans, Unpacking Europe, Rotterdam – Netherlands, 2001. Phokela has been awarded the John Moore Painting Award, (1993) Liverpool – UK, Decibel – Arts Council of England (2004), London UK, IASPIS (2001) – Prestigious artist international residency in Stockholm – Sweden.
