Jan Maanda Tshikhuthula

Jan Maanda Tshikhuthula is a South African artist born in 1983 in Tzaneen, Limpopo Province. He spent his childhood in Matshila, a VhaVenda village situated on a lush subtropical hill. Growing up in this rural environment had a profound influence on his artistic vision and continues to inspire his work today.

As a child, Tshikhuthula enjoyed a traditional rural upbringing. Together with his cousin, he herded goats, explored the surrounding countryside, and developed a deep connection to the natural landscape and cultural traditions of his community. At the heart of the village stood a school built in the 1930s, which served as an important educational centre for children from surrounding areas. In 2012, Tshikhuthula purchased the land on which the school stands, preserving its historical and cultural significance. The site is also a place of ancestral importance, where members of his family are buried and where their spirits are believed to remain.

Tshikhuthula's passion for art began at the age of twelve when he started drawing and painting landscapes. In 2005, he enrolled at Motongoni Art Academy, where he was introduced to a variety of artistic media and techniques. During this period, he explored wood sculpture, papier-mâché, clay, and stone, expanding his creative practice beyond painting. He also benefited from the mentorship of the academy’s founder, Avhashoni Mainganye, who played a significant role in nurturing his talent and artistic development.

In 2009, Tshikhuthula continued his studies at Artist Proof Studio in Johannesburg, one of South Africa’s leading centres for printmaking. There he mastered various printmaking techniques, a discipline that would become central to his artistic practice. His time at Artist Proof Studio exposed him to prominent South African artists, including William Kentridge, Kim Berman, and Nandipha Mntambo, among others. These experiences helped shape his artistic identity and broadened his understanding of contemporary art.

Today, Jan Maanda Tshikhuthula is recognised for work that reflects his deep connection to heritage, memory, landscape, and ancestral history. Drawing from his Venda cultural roots and personal experiences, his art explores themes of identity, place, and the enduring relationship between people, nature, and spirituality.