Originally from Bungeni in Limpopo Province, Tinyiko is a full-time artist who has been practicing for 11 years but has been drawing since childhood. His passion for art took him to Artist Proof Studio, where he graduated as a Master Printer and taught drawing in his 4^th year.

After being involved in a horrific car accident that left him with language and memory impairments, Tinyiko’s ability to create art returned even before his ability to read and write. Many of his portraits reflect his journey in overcoming trauma, isolation, fear, and alienation.

“The process of my painting and the results work a form of mental therapy for me… My desire for my Artwork is to connect and share with other victims who found themselves trapped in difficult life-changing positions and feel like they won't make it out and succeed.”

Tinyiko shares that the titles of his artworks such as ‘Nkondo wangwazi’ reflect his strength to overcome challenges “…like a warrior rising up to fight for my life. Evoking the warrior spirit inside of everyone that engages and interacts with my work.”

Tinyiko is deeply connected to his artworks and the creative process that develops into a form of self-expression. “The emptiness of the background in any painting also describes the isolation and feeling alienated by society, in the process of handling my trauma. I work with young male figures in my painting to capture the beauty of youth and how I leave the body of my subjects in my artwork half done… is how I see myself or feel as an individual that I am still missing something in my life that makes me feel incomplete. But at the same time, I feel joy and pride when I am printing the expression on any subject’s face.”

So Many Tears

So Many Tears