Welcome Koboka (1941 – 1997)
Welcome Mandla Koboka is one of the earlier representatives of the Township Art Movement. During 1961 he studies under Cecil Skotnes and Ephraim Ngatane at the Jubilee Art Centre. He Works in charcoal, inks, watercolour and oils, but it is the latter for which he has become best known. He Draws his subject matter from the daily life in the townships, the hustle and bustle of the street scenes, women shopping, youngsters making music etc. These he portrays in a vigorous and bold manner. There is a great deal of abstraction and simplicity in his compositions. He has developed into a mature painter with considerable technical skill.
Koboka’s work shows a remarkable stylistic consistency during his artistic career of approximately 40 years. Its most recognizable feature is his style of abstraction, achieved by the simplification of his subject matter. He developed a palette knife technique which allowed him his trademark surface treatment, resulting in a gritty, graphic feel.
Koboka has taught art at FUBA and in Orlando, Soweto and is eager to pass his love of art onto the next generation. He has participated in numerous group exhibitions including the Black Art Today Exhibition held in 1981, as well as private exhibitions in Johannesburg, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Cape Town. Welcome also had very successful exhibitions in Austria, and in Baltimore, USA.
Koboka’s work shows a remarkable stylistic consistency during his artistic career of approximately 40 years. Its most recognizable feature is his style of abstraction, achieved by the simplification of his subject matter. He developed a palette knife technique which allowed him his trademark surface treatment, resulting in a gritty, graphic feel.
Koboka has taught art at FUBA and in Orlando, Soweto and is eager to pass his love of art onto the next generation. He has participated in numerous group exhibitions including the Black Art Today Exhibition held in 1981, as well as private exhibitions in Johannesburg, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Cape Town. Welcome also had very successful exhibitions in Austria, and in Baltimore, USA.
