Contemporary South African visual artist exploring identity, memory, spirituality, and the emotional architecture of the human experience through expressive portraiture and figurative painting.

Contemporary South African visual artist exploring identity, memory, spirituality, and the emotional architecture of the human experience through expressive portraiture and figurative painting.

Based in

Johannesburg,

South Africa

Based in

Johannesburg,

South Africa

Thabiso Dakamela

Thabiso Dakamela

ABOUT: An Artist Shaped by Duality

_01

Born to a Venda father and Ndebele mother, Thabiso Dakamela's artistic language is rooted in the richness of multiple identities. Working primarily in oil, his paintings examine the invisible landscapes we carry within ourselves—the emotions, memories, contradictions and quiet moments that define what it means to be human.

Street Art on a big wall

_02


His distinctive visual style combines expressive brushwork with striking colour palettes, creating portraits that feel both deeply personal and universally familiar. Every canvas becomes an invitation to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the emotional truths that often remain unspoken.

Beyond the Canvas

For over a decade, Dakamela has built an internationally recognised practice through solo exhibitions, museum-quality collections, and global collaborations spanning South Africa, Europe, the United States and the Middle East.


Shop Bag

Current Exhibition

A meditation on emotional resilience, memory and the invisible burdens we carry. These paintings explore vulnerability not as weakness, but as a profound source of strength, using expressive portraiture and layered symbolism to reveal the quiet complexity of the human condition.

Dive into a collection of bold, expressive paintings where street art meets fine art. See the full gallery and experience the depth of each stroke.

The Weight of Holding

A meditation on emotional resilience, memory and the invisible burdens we carry. These paintings explore vulnerability not as weakness, but as a profound source of strength, using expressive portraiture and layered symbolism to reveal the quiet complexity of the human condition.

Dive into a collection of bold, expressive paintings where street art meets fine art. See the full gallery and experience the depth of each stroke.

The Archive

Inspired by the rhythm of the ocean, this body of work investigates duality—the constant movement between light and darkness, certainty and doubt, solitude and belonging. Dominated by rich blues and atmospheric tones, these works invite viewers into moments of introspection, healing and self-discovery.

Step into a world where the streets become the canvas—bold, immersive murals blending raw urban energy with classical influences. Explore the full gallery and witness the stories etched into every wall.

CRITICS SAY:

"Dakamela creates expressive reflections of the vibrations and energies he encounters, revealing the interconnectedness of all living beings while balancing vulnerability with remarkable emotional depth."

Adapted from Curatorial Notes

Helen Douglas - Art Critique

PRESS: ACCLAIM & RECOGNITION

an ancient Greek or Roman Female sculpture with wings

Thabiso Dakamela was featured as one of the inaugural artists in Chapter I: The Weight of Holding, a landmark exhibition introducing Africa Curated's vision of contemporary African art to the United States. The exhibition highlighted artists whose work explores identity, resilience and emotional memory.

Art Africa

April 2026

Thabiso Dakamela was featured as one of the inaugural artists in Chapter I: The Weight of Holding, a landmark exhibition introducing Africa Curated's vision of contemporary African art to the United States. The exhibition highlighted artists whose work explores identity, resilience and emotional memory.

Art Africa

April 2026

LA Weekly described the exhibition as a powerful exploration of emotional inheritance and collective memory, recognising Dakamela's paintings for their ability to transform vulnerability into visual strength through expressive portraiture and layered symbolism.

LA Weekly

April 2026

LA Weekly described the exhibition as a powerful exploration of emotional inheritance and collective memory, recognising Dakamela's paintings for their ability to transform vulnerability into visual strength through expressive portraiture and layered symbolism.

LA Weekly

April 2026

Dakamela was announced among the featured artists for Africa Curated's international debut in Los Angeles, positioning his practice within a new generation of contemporary African artists reaching global audiences through museum-calibre exhibitions.

PR Newswire

April 2026

Dakamela was announced among the featured artists for Africa Curated's international debut in Los Angeles, positioning his practice within a new generation of contemporary African artists reaching global audiences through museum-calibre exhibitions.

PR Newswire

April 2026

Yahoo Finance covered the launch of The Weight of Holding, highlighting Africa Curated's mission to elevate African artists on the global stage while introducing collectors to voices redefining contemporary African art, including Thabiso Dakamela.

International Arts Feature

April 2026

Yahoo Finance covered the launch of The Weight of Holding, highlighting Africa Curated's mission to elevate African artists on the global stage while introducing collectors to voices redefining contemporary African art, including Thabiso Dakamela.

International Arts Feature

April 2026

Benzinga featured Dakamela as part of the inaugural Africa Curated exhibition, recognising the exhibition's role in connecting African contemporary artists with international collectors and cultural institutions.

Benzinga - Africa Curated Exhibition

April 2026

Benzinga featured Dakamela as part of the inaugural Africa Curated exhibition, recognising the exhibition's role in connecting African contemporary artists with international collectors and cultural institutions.

Benzinga - Africa Curated Exhibition

April 2026

The Art Times recognised Dakamela's growing influence within South Africa's contemporary art landscape, celebrating his expressive figurative practice and distinctive artistic voice that continues to evolve through themes of identity and introspection.

The Art Times

2021

The Art Times recognised Dakamela's growing influence within South Africa's contemporary art landscape, celebrating his expressive figurative practice and distinctive artistic voice that continues to evolve through themes of identity and introspection.

The Art Times

2021

Featured on Mzansi Insider, Dakamela's journey and artistic practice were spotlighted as part of a new generation of South African artists shaping contemporary visual culture through authenticity and emotional storytelling.

SABC Mzansi Insider - Artist Feature

2021

Featured on Mzansi Insider, Dakamela's journey and artistic practice were spotlighted as part of a new generation of South African artists shaping contemporary visual culture through authenticity and emotional storytelling.

SABC Mzansi Insider - Artist Feature

2021

HomeChoice Magazine profiled Dakamela as part of its celebration of contemporary South African creatives, showcasing the distinctive visual language that has become synonymous with his practice.

HomeChoice Magazine

2022

HomeChoice Magazine profiled Dakamela as part of its celebration of contemporary South African creatives, showcasing the distinctive visual language that has become synonymous with his practice.

HomeChoice Magazine

2022

More than decoration, Truman’s large-scale works engage deeply with the environment, making entire buildings his canvas for storytelling.

Architectural Digest

July 2022

More than decoration, Truman’s large-scale works engage deeply with the environment, making entire buildings his canvas for storytelling.

Architectural Digest

July 2022

Recent Exhibitions

UPCOMING
Greko-Roman Statue
UPCOMING
Greko-Roman Statue
UPCOMING
Greko-Roman Statue
CURRENT
Greko-Roman Statue
CURRENT
Greko-Roman Statue
CURRENT
Greko-Roman Statue

The Weight of Holding

April 2026

Los Angeles, California, USA

Presented as part of the inaugural Africa Curated exhibition at Honeypot LA, The Weight of Holding explored themes of emotional resilience, identity, memory, and the invisible burdens we carry. The exhibition marked a significant milestone in Dakamela's growing international practice, introducing his work to collectors and audiences in the United States.

The Weight of Holding

April 2026

Los Angeles, California, USA

Presented as part of the inaugural Africa Curated exhibition at Honeypot LA, The Weight of Holding explored themes of emotional resilience, identity, memory, and the invisible burdens we carry. The exhibition marked a significant milestone in Dakamela's growing international practice, introducing his work to collectors and audiences in the United States.

PAST
Greko-Roman Statue
PAST
Greko-Roman Statue
PAST
Greko-Roman Statue

We Are As We Were

2023

Johannesburg, South Africa

A deeply personal solo exhibition exploring community, spirituality, reflection and our shared humanity. The collection invited viewers to reconnect with the values of compassion, belonging and collective care through expressive figurative painting.

We Are As We Were

2023

Johannesburg, South Africa

A deeply personal solo exhibition exploring community, spirituality, reflection and our shared humanity. The collection invited viewers to reconnect with the values of compassion, belonging and collective care through expressive figurative painting.

The South African Collective Show

2025

Miami, Florida, USA

Presented by the Art in Black Foundation, this international exhibition showcased a new generation of South African artists redefining contemporary African art. Dakamela's expressive portraiture highlighted the emotional depth and human connection that have become hallmarks of his practice.

The South African Collective Show

2025

Miami, Florida, USA

Presented by the Art in Black Foundation, this international exhibition showcased a new generation of South African artists redefining contemporary African art. Dakamela's expressive portraiture highlighted the emotional depth and human connection that have become hallmarks of his practice.

South Seen

2025

Brussels, Belgium

A group exhibition bringing together leading contemporary artists from Southern Africa. Dakamela's work contributed to a broader conversation around cultural identity, belonging and the evolving narratives emerging from the continent's contemporary art scene.

South Seen

2025

Brussels, Belgium

A group exhibition bringing together leading contemporary artists from Southern Africa. Dakamela's work contributed to a broader conversation around cultural identity, belonging and the evolving narratives emerging from the continent's contemporary art scene.

Summer of Colours Tour

2025

Dresden, Germany 2025

A solo exhibition celebrating the expressive power of colour, portraiture and human emotion. Through richly layered compositions, Dakamela invited European audiences into an exploration of identity, spirituality and the emotional landscapes that shape contemporary African experiences.

Summer of Colours Tour

2025

Dresden, Germany 2025

A solo exhibition celebrating the expressive power of colour, portraiture and human emotion. Through richly layered compositions, Dakamela invited European audiences into an exploration of identity, spirituality and the emotional landscapes that shape contemporary African experiences.

an ancient Greek or Roman Female sculpture with wings

NEWSLETTER: STUDIO NOTES

Street Mural - A man's Face

Be the first to discover new collections, upcoming exhibitions, behind-the-scenes moments from the studio, and reflections from Thabiso's artistic journey.


NEWSLETTER: STUDIO NOTES

Street Mural - A man's Face

Be the first to discover new collections, upcoming exhibitions, behind-the-scenes moments from the studio, and reflections from Thabiso's artistic journey.


NEWSLETTER: STUDIO NOTES

Street Mural - A man's Face

Be the first to discover new collections, upcoming exhibitions, behind-the-scenes moments from the studio, and reflections from Thabiso's artistic journey.


"Art is where emotion becomes visible. Every painting begins as a conversation with myself and becomes an invitation for someone else to find a part of their own story within it."

— Thabiso Dakamela

an ancient Greek or Roman Female sculpture with wings

"Art is where emotion becomes visible. Every painting begins as a conversation with myself and becomes an invitation for someone else to find a part of their own story within it."

— Thabiso Dakamela

an ancient Greek or Roman Female sculpture with wings

"Art is where emotion becomes visible. Every painting begins as a conversation with myself and becomes an invitation for someone else to find a part of their own story within it."

— Thabiso Dakamela

an ancient Greek or Roman Female sculpture with wings