After being given a run around by commercial mainstream galleries, designer and illustrator Masonwabe’s work finally finds a home at University of Pretoria Museum
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
He is not an artists whose work you will find at major galleries in South Africa, being exhibited. However one of the most creative individuals I have come across in recent years has not stopped working. In fact his creative output is quite substantial, with or without a gallery.
Masonwabe Ntloko is a South African artist and designer known for his innovative work that blends traditional Xhosa culture with contemporary aesthetics. Among other notable art projects, in recent years launched a unisex nightwear collection inspired by shared childhood memories a ong Africans, showcasing a range of styles and designs that reflect cultural heritage. Ntloko’s artistry is deeply rooted in his heritage, creating visual narratives that resonate with a global audience.
His other significant recent exhibition, titled Ancient the Modern combines traditional Xhosa culture with contemporary art, allowing viewers to appreciate the beauty of their heritage. Additionally, he explores themes of cultural identity and heritage through his artwork, emphasizing the resilience of African traditions.
Ntloko has found a way around the illusive normative way of exposure and selling art –which is through galleries, that is, if one is lucky enough to have a gallery prepared to invest in their career through art fairs. All these have however eluded him, with over cautious and highly risk averse gallerists populating the South African art ecosystem yet to notice this hard working, extremely professional artist walking in their midst.
However nothing is stopping the young creative from creating art that connects with his target market, mainly affluent, discerning art lovers in the suburbs.
I first knew about him in 2020, when the global pandemic had given us a reprieve to meet and connect with each other physically, and government had given its blessing for businesses to operate almost as normal. That was in 2020 in the foyer of Arts on Main in Maboneng. The artist was at the beginning of his career, but already he was making waves with his art, particularly his Xhosa tradition influenced illustrations steeped deeply into his cultural roots.
During the interview he told me about how he is reimagining his culture through his designs, and how his series of rags that he had just finished were snapped by a famous rag brand and they sold out within hours of being released and displayed.
The artist works in design and illustration, armed with qualifications from Canaan Academy and Nelson Mandela University in the Eastern Cape.
However his efforts to get into main galleries and be acknowledged by the art establishment may be a thing of the past.
In fact, he has jumped several steps to the top of the art hierarchy as his work is now part of the University Pretoria Museum collection that many an artist, including the established ones, would love to see their work as part of this prestigious collection.
And the artist is understandably excited about this important breakthrough in his art practice. “Beyond honoured to announce that that the University of Pretoria Museum has officially acquired the Transkei print series to become part of their illustrious and extraordinary collection. To see these prints preserved and celebrated within such respected collection is a profound milestone as a creative. Deeply grateful for the recognition and incredibly excited for the continued life of these prints within such a space,” he wrote on Facebook on Thursday February 25, 2026, after receiving the news.