Mbongeni Buthelezi
Mbongeni Buthelezi (1956 - ) Known for his plastic painting and environmental themes, Mbongeni Buthelezi was born in KwaZulu-Natal, but today calls Johannesburg home. He attended courses at the African Institute of Art and the University of Witwatersrand. Mbongeni repurposes plastic for use in his artwork in an effort to minimize pollution, and to raise awareness of the dangers of single-use plastic that ends up in oceans and landfills. He uses different techniques to melt the plastic and then applies it to a recycled canvas to create vivid, striking abstract artworks or depictions of animals. His works have been exhibited internationally at solo and group exhibitions, including the Museum of African Art in New York, Museum Goch in Germany as well as the Prague Biennale. He was also artist in residence in Germany, South Africa, and New York.
