Makiwa Mutomba, born in 1976 in Zimbabwe, exhibited prodigious talent in drawing from a tender age. Despite embarking on a path in Electronics Engineering at university, he pivoted dramatically in his third year in 1999, choosing to embrace his passion for art as a full-time career. Migrating from Bulawayo to the bustling streets of Harare and eventually settling in the tourist hub of Victoria Falls in 2000, he found his niche selling miniature paintings by the roadside, ingeniously displayed on tree branches, to tourists. It was during this period that Makiwa’s affinity for using the palette knife as his primary painting tool flourished.
In 2001, Makiwa relocated to South Africa and swiftly secured representation by esteemed art galleries across Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish Makiwa Galleries in 2014, a triumvirate of art spaces situated in Durban, Pretoria and Franschhoek. These galleries have since become the principal conduits for his artwork, catering to a diverse international clientele, especially from Europe and the USA.
Makiwa’s vibrant beach scenes caught the eye of Woolworths South Africa in 2009, leading to a nationwide distribution of carrier bags adorned with his artwork. That same year, he achieved critical acclaim at the Société Nationale Des Beaux-Arts (SNBA) in Paris, winning an award for his painting at their prestigious annual exhibition held at the Carrousel du Louvre.
Recent commissions include the wine label design in 2022 for “Philosophie,” a vintage wine by Vondeling in South Africa, and from 2000 to 2022, Makiwa’s works have graced the covers of books, news magazines, and various private collections.
Makiwa’s exhibition history is extensive and global, spanning from 2000 to date, with participations in numerous group and solo exhibitions throughout South Africa, Zimbabwe, Germany, the Netherlands, India, France, the USA, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. He has showcased his work at prominent art fairs including those in Miami, New York, Paris, and Amsterdam. Noteworthy exhibitions include his 2018 appearances at the New York Art Expo and the Annual Dutch Art Fair in Amsterdam, as well as his 2017 feature at Art Shopping Paris.
Throughout the years, Makiwa has been dedicated to charity work, notably donating paintings to the Lyons Club of Potchefstroom between 2010 and 2011, and contributing to the Guide Dog Association for the Blind. His generosity extended to 2006, where he donated a piece at the behest of the South African High Commissioner to the UK, aiding in raising funds for the Phelophepa Medical Train. In 2007, a painting titled “Grandmother” was contributed to the CatPals Art Auction, further exemplifying his commitment to philanthropic efforts.
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