Thabiso Dakamela’s art journey began in Zimbabwe, weaving together personal challenges and cultural roots into vibrant, expressive works that now captivate audiences worldwide.
Born in 1994 in the Royal Dakamela village of Nkayi, Zimbabwe, and raised in a close-knit community by his mother after she separated from his Venda father, Dakamela’s early years were steeped in the rich cultural heritage of his maternal family.
Dakamela’s art celebrates women and children, capturing their strength, honesty, and the nurturing essence of maternal love. Though he spent his childhood in Zimbabwe’s second largest city of Bulawayo, he moved to South Africa in his early twenties to connect with his paternal roots and follow his passion for art.
His foray into art was born out of pain and heartbreak—a lost scholarship to study law in Cyprus because of financial constraints. But from that heartbreak, a new passion emerged. In 2015, he showcased his work in his first major group exhibition at Gateway Hotel in Umhlanga, alongside some of South Africa’s most esteemed artists.
Dakamela identifies as an Impressionist and Expressionist artist. “I use almost everything I can find to make my art, old rugs, newsprints, bottle caps, and any recycled materials, but my favourite mediums would be oil, charcoal and acrylic. I observe what happens around me and use my work to communicate stories and discuss contemporary issues affecting people in my day with me audience,” said Dakamela.
Currently working as a professional artist in Johannesburg and Cape Town, Dakamela is expanding his reach to an international audience. He is preparing for group exhibitions in Dubai, Morocco, and the USA, while also working towards his solo exhibition scheduled for the end of the year.
Looking ahead, he is committed to growing his foundation, the DKs Project House, which he envisions as a nurturing space for future artists to pursue their dreams.