Slovo Mamphaga’s solo exhibition features works spanning drawings, paintings, and digital art—layered with meaning
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
Slovo Mamphaga is one of the talented contemporary visual artists in the country, whose work’s impact is yet to be fully appreciated. His art practice’s main medium is drawing, and he does it so well that one could sometimes mistake them for a painting, exuding mood and without doubt creating an intense curiosity in the viewer.
Though one would have love to see him exhibiting more in mainstream galleries, Slovo prefers to be independent, a formula that seems to be working, as he is slowly building a base of private collectors who speak to him directly instead of through a gallery.
He also organises his own exhibitions, either as a solo artist or with other like-minded photographers.
One of the collectors who has acquired Slovo’s art through this personal direct connection to the artist is gallery owner Lerato Masha, the owner of Jeleni &Phindi on the Rooftop of Randburg Square.
“I started collecting art in 2003, first as a hobby, but now, I am sorry to admit that it has since become an obsession. In fact, right now I and other like-minded people are in the process of establishing a collectors’ club, a safe space where particularly young black collectors can come together and encourage each other to collect art. Slovo is one of the artists whose work I continue to collect,” Masha said while proudly showing me two of Slovo’s digital art prints on the wall of the gallery forming part of his growing private collection. These two artworks are in fact part of several pieces on display in the gallery alongside new works by Slovo in this solo exhibition in the space.
Coming from a background in Multimedia, Slovo’s work is experimental, process-led, and deeply influenced by design principles. Through imaginary surrealism, Slovo explores themes such as identity, resilience, memory, and the tension between tradition and modernity.
His approach embraces spontaneity and structured composition, blending intricate details with bold, expressive forms that evoke a sense of movement, transformation and grounding. By layering textures, patterns, and symbols, he constructs thought-provoking visual stories that invite the viewer into an introspective dialogue.
His compositions—spanning drawings, paintings, and digital art—are layered with meaning, often depicting fragmented or reconfigured figures that transport us into his world through a meditative state.
Slovo’s artistic practice is informed by lived experience, absorbing and reinterpreting the world around him through his unique visual language. His work questions the constructs of power, belonging, and self-definition. Whether through fluid brushstrokes, dynamic line work, or striking color contrasts, he invites audiences on a journey to weave narratives that reflect shifting tides of the world around us.
Slovo’s solo exhibition was preceded by a Colectors’ Day, which took place on March 29, 2025 at Day at Jeleni & Phindi Rooftop Gallery, celebrating three years of art, legacy, and collecting featuring Mamphaga and collaborating artists + collectors’ selections.
“Jeleni & Phindi Rooftop Gallery is proud to present Collectors’ Day, a special event dedicated to honoring the collectors who have supported and shaped our artistic journey since our inception three years ago. This unique exhibition showcases the remarkable artworks acquired by collectors over the years, bringing them back into the gallery space for a celebration of patronage, passion, and the enduring power of contemporary African art.
For this occasion, we are also thrilled to feature a group exhibition of artists whose works were first exhibited when the gallery opened, reflecting on the evolution of their practice and the continued dialogue between artists and collectors. This convergence of past and present serves as a testament to the relationships built through art—where collectors are not just buyers, but storytellers who carry the legacies of artists forward.
Collectors’ Day is more than an exhibition; it is a tribute to the individuals who have nurtured the growth of African art by preserving, sharing, and believing in its significance. Through this showcase, we invite audiences to witness how a collection is more than just assembled artworks—it is a reflection of personal journeys, cultural appreciation, and a deep connection to creativity.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of art, conversation, and celebration, as we reflect on three years of artistic excellence and look forward to many more,” a statement released by the curarors and the organisers read at the time.
.Slovo’s Solo exhibition currently on at Jeleni & Phindi Rooftop Gallery, Randburg Square, runs till end of May, 2025.