Bambo Sibiya

Bambo is a South African artist from Kwa Thema, Springs near Johannesburg. He studied art at the Benoni Technical college and afterwards studied the printing professional development programme at the Artist Proof Studio in Johannesburg. In 2012 he won the Gerard Sekoto award and an artist residency at the Cité des Arts in Paris. It was during this residency that Atelier le Grand Village edited its first series of Bambo’s lithographs on the theme of the Swenkas. Bambo has continued to work with Atelier le Grand Village thereafter.

In South Africa, during apartheid, men from the rural areas journeyed to the cities in search of work. Hoping to impress the families they left behind, the men would often buy stylish new suits for their visits back home, and practice looking slick for their friends and neighbours. From this the Swenkas evolved and wor- king-class South Africans would meet on a regular basis for competitions in which they would see who could put together the best-looking outfit, and who knew how to move best in it. The men follow certain set values, such as physical cleanliness, sobriety and above all self-respect.

Exhibitions, Awards & Collection

• 2020  The Portrait Show: Group Exxhibition, Everard Read, Johannesburg
• 2019  Freedom Did Not Just Come: Solo Exhibition, @CIRCA, Johannesburg
• 2019  Umdlalo Wamaphepha: Solo Exhibition, Jack Bell Gallery, London
• 2018  Rassemblement: Group Exhibition, Jack Bell Gallery, London
• 2018  ‘Izikhali ze Mpilo’: Solo Exhibition, Jack Bell Gallery, London
• 2018  1:54 Art Fair, Jack Bell Gallery, New York
• 2017  ‘Ubuntu Ngabantu’: Solo Exhibition, Jack Bell Gallery, London
• 2017  ‘Tales of Migration’: Solo Exhibition, Red Room Gallery, Cape Town
• 2017  1:54 Art Fair, Jack Bell Gallery, London
• 2017: 10th Print Triennial, Chamalières, France
• 2016: Douro Print Biennial, Portugal
• 2016  Art Exchange: Querètaro, Galeria Municipal and Taller Tamayo, Oaxaca, Mexico
• 2015: 7th International Lithographic Symposium, Tidaholm, Sweden
• 2013  ‘Khumbula Ekhaya (Home Sick)’, Gallery 2, Johannesburg
• 2013  ‘Human Spirit’, ABSA Art Gallery, Johannesburg