NOKUKHANYA CHARITY VILAKAZI

b. 1992 - Ethekwini, RSA

Nokukhanya Charity Vilakazi is a multimedia artist and visual orator. Working primarily with the mediums of painting and photography, her practice centres around the interrogation and exploration of African mythology, folklore and the self (spirituality, ritual and feminism). Vilakazi is a graduate of the Market Photo Workshop Advanced program and SACII Art accelerator incubator. She currently lives and works in Cape Town.

“My work looks at how stories validate female agency and are restorative and empowered by the African womxn’s psyche by highlighting them in folk- tales that illustrate the liberated and disruptive potential of female power, resilience, wisdom and agency. Showing how the wisdom of folklore intersects with myth, fantasy, and social history to instigate social change and egalitarian relations whilst celebrating the womxn of Africa as key protagonists. Both in their power and in their humanity. My work incorporates ibomvu (red clay) with acrylic paints to honour the beauty of my characters as it was and still is a form of beautification practiced by African womxn.”

Selected Solo Exhibitions 

2024 Alikho izulu? - Kalashnikovv Gallery, Cape Town, RSA

2023 Ngifike, Ngabona, Ngime, Ngiqine - Kalashnikovv Gallery, Johannesburg, RSA

2023 SOLO - Investec Cape Town Art Fair, Cape Town, RSA

2023 BUTHA UMHLAMBI WAKHO KUKHONA ISIKHALA EMAKHAZENI OTHINGO - Kalashnikovv Gallery, Johannesburg, RSA

2022 Kulethe - Kalashnikovv Gallery Project Room, Johannesburg, RSA

Selected Group Exhibitions

2023 Autumn Show - DAOR Contemporary, Cape Town, RSA

2023 Loud and Clear - SMAC Gallery, Cape Town, RSA

2022 TAF Paper - Design Joburg, Johannesburg, RSA

2022 Blue Tape Series - P72 Projects, Johannesburg, RSA

2022 The Art Accelerator Program - Julie Miller African Contemporary, Johannesburg, RSA

2021 Through the Lens Collective - Portrait Show) - Johannesburg, RSA

2019 (IN)Sight - Through the Lens Collective ‘Charity Vilakazi - Invisible Women - Johannesburg, RSA

Residencies & Awards

2023 ANNA Award Finalist

2022 Design Indaba Emerging Creatives 2021 Sasol New Signatures

2021 A3E Artist Acceleration Program by Between 10 and 5

2021 SACII Art Accelerator Incubation participant

Selected Art Fairs

Untitled Miami Art Fair, Miami Beach, USA: 2023

Latitudes Art Fair, Johannesburg, RSA: 2023

Investec Cape Town Art Fair, Cape Town, RSA: 2023

Enter Art Fair, Copenhagen, DEN: 2023

FNB Art Joburg, Johannesburg, RSA: 2023

Turbine Art Fair, Johannesburg, RSA: 2023 / 2022