Introducing the Artist Alliance Incubator Programme Alumni! We are thrilled to present the 18 talented creatives who have graduated from our intensive two-month programme. These exceptional individuals were selected from diverse fields, including fine art, photography, filmmaking, fashion, illustration, music production, and graphic design.
 
We invite you to support these emerging artists by following their journeys and exploring their incredible work. Your encouragement and engagement are invaluable as they continue to grow and make their mark in the creative world. Follow their pages and stay connected with the future of art and innovation!

Inaugural Cohort 2021

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Thando ‘Mboma’ Phenyane

Thando is a two-time Architectural graduate, currently completing his Masters at the University of Cape Town.

In his art and illustration, the used object takes a slightly more ubiquitous position. He strongly believes in the beauty of trivial everyday objects when incorporated into conceptually driven visual concepts.

The premise of my vocation as a design practitioner is to make accessible design ideas and interventions that are of benefit to communities who are deserving of these ideas.

To make beautiful things and to make things that work. In this, I find pleasure in putting forward prospects and the potential for agency in the way that users engage my work.

Pia Truscott

Pia Truscott is a South African artist currently in her third year at Michaelis School of Fine Arts. She is also majoring in Anthropology.

She matriculated from Westerford High School in 2017 and did freelance illustration work. In 2019, she enrolled at Michaelis with printmaking and painting as her majors.

She has been a co-creator of a four-part series called Connecting through Creativity. These exhibition events have sought to celebrate and showcase the work of emerging artists.

Her combined love of anthropology and art creates an enthusiasm to unite people through art. Pia exhibited in Turbine’s recent ‘Paper’ exhibition (2020).

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Nkhuwemi Kumwenda

Nkhuwemi Kumwenda is a Malawian visual artist based in Cape Town. She is studying Fine Art at Ruth Prowse School of Art and she is in her final year.

Her passion is illustration in both digital and traditional media. She leans towards the realm of fantasy and whimsy with her work.

Nkhuwemi has always loved being immersed in another world through storybooks, novels and comics. This is what has pushed her interest in creating interesting and captivating ideas.

Nkhuwemi is always looking for ways to tell a story through her art. She is happy to share her art knowledge and is hopeful that the future will bring her many opportunities in her home country Malawi.

She plans to publish a number of comic books in the future as well as pick up animation skills.

Mbhali Manzini

Mbhali Manzini is a designer and illustrator currently working in the design and advertising industry in Cape Town.

In 2015, she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual Communication at The Open Window Institute. This is where she was scouted by several advertising agencies, which lead to her journey of working with brands such as Samsung, Standard Bank, Ricoffy, Boity Signature, Scorpion Legal Protection and Dickies to name a few.

Towards the end of 2017, Mbhali started posting her illustrations on social media which got positive feedback and people started demanding personalised illustrations, which inspired her to start her own brand, named ForMeByMe.

ForMeByMe is about self-love and appreciation in today’s world, where we are very quick to idolize celebrities and forget to appreciate, embrace and celebrate ourselves.

Her brand has personalised illustrated phone cases, t-shirts, portraits and laptop stickers.

She was selected as Design Indaba’s Emerging Creative and was nominated to showcase her work for Sasol Signature artist 2019.

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Mikhailia Petersen

Mikhailia Petersen is an Independent Practitioner and has worked as an Artist, Creative Director, Stylist and Stills Producer for over five years.

Since October 2018, Mikhailia has actively participated in the Association for Visual Arts Gallery’s installation programme.

Her work has been in print, a double cover of Afrostyle Magazine 2020 and has had a featured documentary editorial in Nataal Magazine 2019.

She featured on online platforms such as VICE/ID, Manju Journal, Fucking Young, Bubblegum Club and Also Journal.

Mikhailia was a top three finalist for the ORMS Mentorship Programme 2019 for photography. She has exhibited work at three group shows Eclectica Contemporary, Ava Gallery and GUS Gallery in December 2018.

Owethu Bobotyane

We are deeply saddened to announce that Owam, the visionary behind the genderless, sustainable fashion brand, has passed away. Our heartfelt condolences go out to their family, friends, and all who admired their work.
 
Owam's brand offered a lifestyle of timeless, gender-fluid, and inclusive vintage fashion options. They had been a collector of vintage items for a long time, appreciating vintage clothing for its craftsmanship and quality. They believed these aspects were unique selling points on their own. Owam cherished owning one-of-a-kind pieces that could last a lifetime, emphasizing their commitment to sustainability.
 
Owam favoured neutral tones that easily complemented any wardrobe, using mostly natural fabrics. What set their brand apart from other vintage brands was the offer of tailoring services with quick turnaround times and personalized styling services.

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Nqaba Shakes Fatman Mbolekwana

Nqaba is a visual artist and documentary photojournalist from the Eastern Cape.

He attended High School in Cape Town before relocating to Johannesburg, where he studied an advanced programme in photography at the Market Photo Workshop.

Since childhood, Shakes took on painting as an expressive practice to illustrate his surroundings and portray his inner state of mind and spirit. Over time, his work has featured acrylics, oil paints, and mixed media works of art.

He has been exploring the cognitive processes which flow through one's senses when holding a camera, composing a shot, and landing a frame. Beyond addressing social issues, Nqaba has been keen to dive into the underlying layers of power, identity, romance, fear, and faith as distinct yet inseparable dimensions of the large picture he strives to capture through photography.

In 2020 he was accepted into the Canon student development program held in France, Perpignan which formed part of the Visa pour L ’image festival, and was also accepted for a portfolio review with Vogue Italia as part of the Photo Vogue Festival held in Italy, but due to Covid-19 everything was done digitally and online.

Simthembile Twala

Simthembile Twala is from Johannesburg, but based in Cape Town. He attended Market Photo Workshop. He completed his internship at Glowhire, where they taught him how to use equipment.

He also taught students how to use the studio lights and how to pack them.

Simthembile did a lot of assisting as a photographer and now he is comfortable enough to call himself a photographer.

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Joshua Paulse also known as Jozua Gerrard

Jozua Gerrard is a young creative based in Cape Town. He has collaborated with multiple galleries, including Art Bureau Collective, WordArt, and The Southern Guild, which has helped him enter the Cape Town art scene and explore his potential and voice as an artist.

Jozua's work includes paintings, sculptures, and digital art. He's deeply interested in the design process and is gradually branching out into different areas to see how far his designs can go. His art often reflects his personal experiences with depression, anxiety, and his journey in discovering his sexual identity.

Jozua has created pieces for various exhibitions, including two solo shows, multiple groups shows, Investec Cape Town and features on art platforms such as Latitudes, Artsy, and First Thursdays Cape Town.

Zilungile Hanise

Zilungile Hanise is a designer who lives and studies in Cape Town. Born and raised in Mthatha, a small city in the Eastern Cape, she has always been interested in drawing and design from a young age and went to study Interior Design at Inscape Educational Group where she graduated in 2015.

While studying there, she discovered her love for photography, furniture and textile design and how all these elements formed part of the essence and aesthetic of spaces.

After she graduated in 2015, she went on a journey of discovery of how she could incorporate these forms of designs in building her career life and impacting people’s lives.

On the 24th of November 2020 she was part of a group of artists that exhibited their work in an exhibition hosted by Chosi with the help of Mandela Bay municipality to help re-ignite the art industry in Gqeberha. Zilungile is currently building her brand, Uhambo Concepts, which will focus on homeware design (photography, illustrations and textile design) and furniture design which will launch beginning of year 2022.

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Richard Average

Richard Average is a 25 year-old creative from Macassar, Somerset-West.

He specialises in illustration, but does so much more. Having graduated top of his design class at Ruth Prowse School of Art in 2016, Richard has been exploring the street culture that exists in Cape Town.

He was the 2016 Webprinter Creative Award Winner and since then he exhibited at the 2017 Design Indaba as one of the Emerging Creatives of South Africa, and also working full time for a year for one of the biggest retailers in South Africa in 2018.

He has done work with the well renowned brand, Puma South Africa. He’s art and design are inspired by his surroundings and the things that interest him, having a deep passion for music, mental health and fashion has all played a role in his creative process.

Richard is a passionate creative that believes in experimenting and having and believing in one self. The skilful and unrestricted use of colour in his creations is not only a reflection of his personality but also serves as an ode to the creative nature of Capetonian youth.

Kholosani Somhlahlo

Kholosani Somhlahlo is a 29-year-old, living in Cape Town.

He is a fashion designer and obtained a qualification in clothing production in 2016.

He has been making clothes since 2015 for local clients. His brand is gender fluid and accommodates everyone.

Kholosani is eager to learn and understand more about the business side of fashion.

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#LiveArtBeHeard

Cohort 2023

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Anelissa Nkanyuza

Anelissa, also known as LisaTriesToArt, is a digital artist, illustrator, and animator based in Cape Town. Her academic background includes Game Design and Interactive Media studies at the University of the Witwatersrand. Anelissa’s creative pursuits revolve around character design, world-building, and dynamic storytelling through illustrations and animations. She has a passion for bringing characters and their stories to life, often collaborating with musicians to create animated visualizers that enhance the music. Her artistic influences span a wide range, from video game concept art and graphic novels to film and fashion, both locally and internationally. Anelissa is dedicated to her craft and invites you to join her on this artistic journey. 

Carmen Jacobs

Carmen is a self-taught artist whose creative journey has taken her through various realms of artistry. Initially drawn to animation, she soon discovered the world of Graphic Design, merging art with function. Over six years of Graphic Design study, Carmen’s skills evolved, leading to a deep passion for illustration. Her artistic odyssey extended to music, where she embraced roles as an album cover artist, beatmaker, and writer. Carmen’s creative voyage remains in constant motion, marked by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and a commitment to expanding her artistic horizons. 

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Dumi Mparutsa

Dumisane, a self-taught artist originally from Harare, Zimbabwe and currently residing in Cape Town, explores the depths of his subconscious as a source of creative inspiration. His work involves collages, book creations, and a keen interest in sculpture using found objects, paint, and magazines. He perceives the subconscious as a reservoir of emotions and memories, particularly from childhood, which shape his artistic expressions. Dumisane considers himself a diver, delving fearlessly into his subconscious to extract emotional and imaginative treasures. His art serves as a conduit for healing, expressing inner emotions and catalyzing positive changes in external experiences. 

Larissa Mwanyama

Larissa is a creative known for her exceptional talent in capturing and conveying visual intimacy with a touch of intrigue. Her vibrant colour palettes and intricate linework are complemented by her solid foundation in Fine Art and Curatorial studies, lending a unique depth to her work. Larissa believes in the divine inspiration that guides her in crafting visual narratives that not only represent collaborators but also embody her distinct design perspective. With an Afrofuturistic lens, she brings a fresh voice to the design world, where her services are in high demand. Larissa’s work aims to create moments of contemplation and offers a universe of its own within each project. As freelance designer, her mission extends beyond delivering visual products; it’s about creating meaningful experiences and sharing knowledge. Larissa’s work is a testament to her creative magic, and she eagerly looks forward to inspiring others and leaving a lasting impact on their creative journeys. 

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Lehlohonolo “Hlohi” Ndlovu

Lehlohonolo, originally from Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, has a background woven between three South African cities: Brits in North West, Johannesburg, and Newcastle. Currently residing and working in Cape Town, Hlohi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Film & Media Production with a focus on digital media from the University of Cape Town, completed in 2016. In 2018, she achieved her postgraduate Bachelor’s in City Planning with honors, also from UCT. Hlohi’s professional portfolio includes freelance videography and photography projects spanning diverse industries, encompassing education, affordable housing, music, and food. In her personal work, she delves into themes surrounding queerness in South Africa, post-colonial urbanism, and their interconnectedness in shaping individual identities within post-apartheid South Africa. 

Sipho Ngqayimbana

Sipho, known as Msai, is a Cape Town native renowned for his skills as a record producer, beat-maker, DJ, and sound engineer. While studying Computer Science at the University of Cape Town, he discovered his passion for music production in 2016, notably during the FeesMustFall movement. Since then, he’s been on a dedicated musical journey, collaborating with artists like Lurah, Bravo Le Roux, Soul T, and Flash Ikumkani. His breakthrough came in 2019 when he executive produced Lurah’s project “New Drug 2,” gaining respect and recognition. In 2020, he co-founded the independent label Trap Money Music Group, releasing notable projects like “Trap Money Saved Me” and “NINETEEN95.” Msai’s story is one of artistic evolution and unwavering dedication in the Cape Town music scene. 

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