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SOUTH AFRICA

Ukho Peyi

``My works are not just pieces of art, but examples of how people are supposed to embrace and take care of each other.``

LINKEDIN

Multidisciplinary Artist

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY

Ukho Emmanuel Peyi is an artist born in East London, South Africa. He currently holds an advanced diploma in Fine Arts from the Walter Sisulu University, South Africa. His journey began when he was doing Grade 2 as a hobby. He grew up enjoying drawing and perceived himself as an artist until he enrolled with Walter Sisulu University in 2018. With his passion for arts and devotion to helping others, during the covid-19 pandemic period, he tutored level I and II students in painting and printmaking from 2020-2021. In 2018, he was involved in a mural project in celebration of the 67 minutes for Madiba, in collaboration with the Walter Sisulu University, BMW Motors East London and the Vicky Mbalo Foundation.
Peyi recognizes himself as an under ground human rights activist as his works addresses social issues in South African contemporary communities. He is particularly tackling issues of fatherlessness and father absenteeism and its impacts on unwed parents and children in Southern Africa.
He creates charcoal and soft pastel drawings using Fabriano paper to explore concepts of fatherlessness and father absenteeism in South Africa. He alludes to everyday struggles children and single parents are facing. These ideas are expressed using round, cast-iron three-legged potjie pots held downward to convey destitution. He responds to the expanding realm of abandonment and desertion practiced by fathers who were once victims of the status quo. These ruminative charcoal drawings usher the audience to the perched areas of land that are characterized by deposits of charcoal and ash, the removal of herbage and colour, which symbolizes struggles the victims walking under. The artworks are not of the pleasing picturesque classification, hiding magnificence from the hearts of bold, unmarried parents who are constantly striving for their children. The togetherness between suffers is disseminated by assemblages of women walking with children in sombre dresses and the use of objects found in most African heartlands.
However, he demonstrates strong cohesiveness among community dwellers to stimulate societal stability. The works are not just pieces of art, but examples of how people are supposed to embrace and take care of each other. With the dual compilation of charcoal and soft pastel, he seeks to help advocate for the rights of unwed parents and children, especially those living in underserved and marginalized communities.
He has participated in numerous group exhibitions , research conferences, art competitions and art festivals. Inspired by his sorrowful upbringing of growing without a father, and how that affected both him and his mother, he is using his talent to advocate for unwed women who are raising their abandoned children without the help of their fathers. He believes every child has a right to life, love, education and parental support from both parents.

 

EXHIBITIONS

 

- 2019 - National Arts Festival, Makanda, South Africa; Hidden Treasures of Buffalo City, Ann Bryant Art Gallery, East London
- 2021 - The Study Squad Fund Raiser, Noordhoek; Auctioneers, Gonubie, East London; Together We Live Exhibition, Eastern Design Focus, East London; Grahamstown National Arts Festival Virtual Exhibition
- 2022 - Walter Sisulu University Annual Research Day, Mthatha, South Africa; National Arts Festival, Makanda, South Africa; Battle Of Municipalities(BOM) Competition, Eastern Cape; Linked Emotions, Limani Gallery, Nahoon, East London, South Africa
- 2023 - Umtiza Arts Festival, East London; National Arts Festival, Makanda; Ministeral Imbizo, Meriam Makeba Centre, East London; Zingce Arts Festival, East London, South Africa; Isingqisethu Arts Festival, Port St Johns, South Africa
- 2024 - Makhanda National Arts Festival, South Africa; Umtiza Arts Festival, East London, South Africa; Chintsa Art Festival, Chintsa, East London, South Africa; CVD Framers and Gallery, East London, South Africa

Artworks

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