(b. 1943 Marapyane, South Africa)

Mmakgabo Mapula Helen Sebidi was born in 1943 in Marapyane (Skilpadfontein), in the Hammanskraal area of the Northern Transvaal. As her mother was working as a domestic worker in the city for much of her childhood, she grew up with her grandmother, who taught her the values that would guide and sustain her life. This includes the channelling of spirit back into the world through hard work, the commitment of the self to the community, but most of all through acts of creativity – whether this be cooking, constructing mud walls, creating murals, making pots and decorating calabashes, weaving, beading, dress-making, knitting, drawing or painting. For Mmakgabo Sebidi, the artist starts from a root of pain and conflict and works her way towards the redemption of both herself and those around her through the act of making. The creator becomes invisible during this process and is the channel through which the spirit world flows. The artwork can be seen as the trace of this redemptive journey.

Sebidi’s art also demonstrates an attempt to go back to a pre-Christian, pre-colonial Africa – to a range of symbols, a value system and a way of making meaning of the world that can still be found in pockets in the rural areas.   

Mmakgabo Sebidi spent much of her young adult life (she left school after Grade 8) as a domestic worker in Johannesburg. Before moving to Johannesburg she had never seen white people. Following a period of false imprisonment for stealing food, she started to occupy her spare time making dresses and knitting. She sent the money home to help support her grandmother and her extended family. When a German employer – Heidi – starting painting, Sebidi expressed an interest in painting herself and was given her first set of oil paints. She then sought lessons and finally joined the art classes of John Koenakeefe Mohl before returning to Marapyane in 1975 to look after her ailing grandmother. During the early 80s she also trained at the Katlehong Arts Centre to improve her clay technique. Here she worked on pottery and sculpture and gave classes to children. After the death of her grandmother in 1981, she remained in the rural areas, earning extra money from painting rural stories onto calabashes and making pottery.

In 1985, Sebidi had her first solo exhibition at FUBA. It was arranged by her teacher and mentor Mohl, who died shortly before the exhibition opened. At the time she was living in a township hostel with few possessions other than a blanket, soap, a face cloth and her paints. After this exhibition – arguably the first solo exhibition for a black female artist in the country – her fortunes began to change. Through the exhibition she met Bill Ainslie, who encouraged her towards more abstracted work. She also joined the Art Foundation, training and exhibiting with white and black artists together for the first time. Until this period, Sebidi has been exhibiting at Zoo Lake and selling her work mainly to tourists. From her solo exhibition on, she would become increasingly known in the art world – and would join the Everard Read as one of their most significant and influential artists.

Makgabo Sebidi’s accomplishments were recognised in 1989 when she was approached by the America Embassy with a view to applying for an international award. To her surprise, she won the award and was given a Fulbright scholarship to travel to the US, where she had     a placement at the Millay for the Arts in Austerlitz. Her occupation as described by her identity documents was simply ‘domestic servant’. She also went on a tour of America, where she met up with the ‘stolen people’ (African Americans), ‘the people whose land was taken from them (Native Americans) and those who work the land (farmers and agriculturists). She concluded that we have far more in common than whatever separates us and that all the lessons she has needed in her life were available to her through the teachings of her grandmother and her community. While in America, she also spoke at Yale and Mississippi University and attended a 45-day workshop in Washington with African America artists. That same year Sebidi also won the Standard Bank Young Artist Award. From the 1990s to the present, Sebidi had travelled and exhibited throughout the world, including the UK, Holland and the US.

Mmakgabo Sebidi is without question an inspiration and pioneer to the younger generation of South African artists. Working predominantly in pastel, acrylic and oil paint, she has developed a distinct style that uses vibrant juxtaposed colour, rough surfaces, distorted perspectives, abstracted human and animal figures, dream images – often in a pointillist, stippled style of pastel or paint application. More recently she has returned to sculpting in clay and this exhibition features the first of her sculptures ever to be cast in bronze.

Sebidi states: “My early works were traditional wall paintings using dung to get the right shine. Now I paint differently. I don’t use my brain but am only controlled by a spirit. When the picture is finished it will speak. It will come alive and there will be movement. My pictures show me the way I must go.”

Today Mmakgabo Sebidi lives in Parktown, Johannesburg, where she also has her studio. She spends much of her spare time helping to inspire and encourage the younger generation – especially of artists. In 2004, President Thabo Mbeki awarded her the Order of Ikhamanga (the Strelitzia or Bird of Paradise Flower) – which is the highest honour given to those considered a ‘national treasure’.       

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2024

Women in Conversation, FNB Art Joburg, with Everard Read, Johannesburg, SA
Ntlo e etsamayang (The Walking House), with Everard Read & the Swedish Embassy, University of Johannesburg Gallery, Johannesburg; Everard Read, Cape Town, SA

2018

Batlhaping Ba Re!, Norval Foundation, Cape Town, SA Tears of Africa, Everard Read, Cape Town, SA

2017

They Are Greeting, Standard Bank Gallery, Albany Museum, Makhanda, SA

2016

Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi: An exhibition of paintings and prints, Michaelis Galleries, Cape Town, SA
They Are Greeting, Everard Read, Johannesburg, SA
2005

Solo, Oman

2003

The Artifi cial Shelter Foundation, Tilburg, Netherlands

1990

Helen Sebidi, Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg, SA
Irma Stern Museum, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, SA
Association of Arts, Namibia

1989

Standard Bank Young Artist Award Winner exhibition, toured South Africa, Namibia & Zimbabwe until 1992
Solo, London, UK
Solo, Hamburg, Germany
Solo, Museo Contemporaneo, Santiago, Chile

1986

Federated Union of Black Artists, Johannesburg, SA

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2026

In Minor Keys, curated by Koyo Kouoh, Venice Biennale, Venice, Italy
Does it end in a miracle?, Everard Read, Cape Town, SA ArtParis, with Everard Read, Paris, France

2024

The Armory Show, with Everard Read, New York, USA
Investec Cape Town Art Fair, with Everard Read, Cape Town, SA
EXPO CHICAGO, with Everard Read, Chicago, USA
When we see us: A century of Black fi guration in painting, Kunstmuseum, Basel, Switzerland

2023

When we see us: A century of Black fi guration in painting, Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town, SA
Investec Cape Town Art Fair, with Everard Read, Cape Town, SA
When Rain Clouds Gather: Black South African Women Artists 1940-2000, Norval Foundation, Cape Town, SA
Mapping Another Route, Goodman, London, UK
Rembrandt in the Karoo, Jan Rupert Art Centre, Graaff-Reinet, SA

2022

Ancestors & Dreams in African Art, Everard Read, Johannesburg, South Africa & Jacaranda, New York, USA
Her…,Sanlam Art Gallery, Bellville, SA
Yakhal’ Inkomo, the Bongi Dhlomo Collection, Javett-UP, Pretoria, SA

2021

My whole body changed into something else, Stevenson, Cape Town & Johannesburg, SA
Oasis: 25th anniversary exhibition, Everard Read, Cape Town, SA
Bag Factory 30 Years: So Far, The Future, FADA Gallery, Johannesburg, SA

2020

Staring Straight to the Future, online exhibition, Everard Read, UK & SA
The Portrait Show, Everard Read, Johannesburg, SA
We’ve Come to Take You Home #1, Michaelis Galleries, Cape Town, SA

2019

Mellon Foundation Residency exhibition, Javett-UP, Pretoria, SA 2018 Crossing the Night, Idris Naim Foundation and the National Institute of Fine Arts, Oaxaca, Mexico Investec Cape Town Art Fair, with Everard Read, Cape Town, SA 32nd Biennial of São Paolo, Brazil The People’s Art, collaboration between Iziko South African National Gallery and Orms, Cape Town, SA

2017

FNB Art Joburg, with Everard Read, Johannesburg, SA A Painting Today, Stevenson, Cape Town, SA

2016

The Quiet Violence of Dreams, group exhibition, Stevenson, Cape Town & Johannesburg, SA
Fundação Bienal de Sāo Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil 2013 Centenary Exhibition, Everard Read, Johannesburg, SA

2009

Great South African Nude, Everard Read, Johannesburg, SA

2008

Joburg Art Fair,with Everard Read, Johannesburg, SA

2006

Mapping the Route from the 60s, Goodman, Johannesburg, SA

2005

Telkom exhibition, SA
Artists in Conversation, Pretoria Art Museum, Pretoria, SA

2004

Visible Visions, Hagen, Essen, Berlin, Osnabrück (Germany); Tilburg (Netherlands)
Resistance, Reconciliation & Reconstruction, MTN Collection, Pretoria Art Museum, Pretoria, SA

2002

Visible Visions, Electric Workshop, Johannesburg, SA

2001

The Markers, Venice Biennale, Venice, Italy
Land, group exhibition, Unisa Gallery, Pretoria, SA

2000

Axis Gallery, New York, USA
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Krannert Art Museum & Kinkead Pavilion, USA

1999

Human Rights Institute Exhibition, National Art Gallery, Durban, SA
Changing Screens Exhibition, The Firs, Rosebank, SA
Judging of competition at Wits University, Johannesburg, SA

1998

Lisbon Expo, Lisbon, SA
World Wide Workshop & Exhibition, Sydney, Australia

1996

Thupelo Art workshop and exhibition, Cape Town, SA
Biennale in Museum Africa, Johannesburg, SA
Finders Keepers, Sunday Times, Iziko South African National Gallery, Cape Town, SA
The Laager included in a group exhibition, Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Santiago, Chile
Centre of the Arts, Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco, USA
South Africa’s Finest Painters, Everard Read, Johannesburg, SA
Common and Uncommon Ground, South African Art to Atlanta, City Gallery East, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Origin, Hamburg, Germany

1995

Objects of Defi ance, Spaces of Contemplation, Africus: Johannesburg Biennale, Museum Africa, Johannesburg, SA
Women’s Day exhibition, Paarl Museum, Paarl, SA
Siyawela: Love, Loss & Liberation in Art from South Africa, Birmingham Gas Street Museum, Birmingham, UK
Africa95, Royal Academy, London, UK

1994

Six Women from Southern Africa, Lisbon, Portugal
Civic Gallery, Johannesburg, SA

1993

Il Croce del Sud, Venice Biennale, Venice, Italy
Graphics Exhibition, Jyväskylä, Finland; Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Il Croce Del Sud, Rome, Italy
African Hei-ti-@e, Uranienborgveien, Oslo, Norway
Women From Africa, Savannah Gallery of Modern Art, Bethnal Green, London, Uk
Three person show with Noria Mabasa & Lucky Sibiya, Everard Read, Johannesburg, SA

1992

Future Realms, The Africa Futuristic Gallery, Johannesburg, SA
Art from South Africa, South Africa National Gallery, Cape Town, SA

1991

A Grain of Wheat, Art Gallery of the Commonwealth Institute, London, UK
The Challenge of Colonisation, 4th Havana Biennial, Havana, Cuba

1990

Art from South Africa, Museum of Modern Art, Oxford, UK
National Art Museum, Maputo, Mozambique
Zabalaza Festival, South African Festival, Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, UK

1989

Ten Years of Collecting, Wits University, Johannesburg, SA
Pachipamwe II: the avant garde in Africa, Cyrene Mission, Zimbabwe
Johannesburg Biennale, Museum Africa, Johannesburg, SA
Finders Keepers, South African National Gallery, Cape Town; Pretoria Art Museum, Pretoria, SA
South Africa’s Finest Painters, Everard Read, Johannesburg, SA
Art Images in Southern Africa, Kulturhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
Common and Uncommon Ground, City Gallery East, Atlanta, USA

1988

The Neglected Tradition, Johannesburg Art Gallery, Johannesburg, SA
SA Potters Association
DPSC exhibition, artists protesting against detention without trial, Market Galleries, Johannesburg, SA
Cape Town Triennial, toured SA

1987

Vita Art Now, Johannesburg Art Gallery, Johannesburg, SA
Delfi ri/FUBA Creative Quest Exhibition, FUBA
FUBA (Seven Woman Artists)
Thupelo Workshop exhibition, Johannesburg Art Foundation, Johannesburg & NSA Gallery, Durban, SA
Economic Contemporary Artists Fund exhibition, USA

1986

Art for Alexandra, Johannesburg Art Foundation (Sotheby's South Africa Limited), Johannesburg, SA
Thupelo Workshop Exhibition, Johannesburg Art Foundation, Wits University, Johannesburg, SA
Rembrandt Gallery, Johannesburg, SA

1985

South African Potter’s Association, Johannesburg, SA

1980-8

Brush and Chisel Club, Johannesburg, SA

1980-1

Washington, USA (organised by a private collector)

1977-88

Artists under the Sun, Johannesburg, SA

SELECTED COLLECTIONS

Africana Museum, South Africa
Art Workshop, UK
Sasol, South Africa
Unisa, South Africa
North-West University, South Africa
University of Cape Town, South Africa
Tatham Art Gallery, South Africa
Johannesburg Art Gallery, South Africa
Centre for Africa Studies, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Iziko South African National Gallery, South Africa
1820 Settlers Foundation, South Africa
Standard Bank Collection, South Africa
Pretoria Art Museum, South Africa
The National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, USA
University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
Price Forbes, South Africa
Federated Insurance Co., South Africa
Department of Education and Training, South Africa
Galerie Adriana Schmidt, Germany
University of Wolverhampton, UK
H. Roque Investments, South Africa
ABSA Bank, South Africa
World Bank, South Africa
South African Broadcasting Corporation, South Africa
Gencor, South Africa
First National Bank, South Africa
SA Permanent Bank, South Africa
Government of Australia
Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, USA
Aboriginal Art Museum, Australia
Art Bank, South Africa
Spier Art Collection, South Africa
Bongi Dhlomo Collection, South Africa

AWARDS

2025

National Arts and Culture Life Time Achievement Award, South Africa

2016

Goethe-Institut Vila Sul residency, Brazil

2015

Mbokodo Award, South Africa

2011

Arts and Culture Trust Lifetime Achievement Award for Visual Art, South Africa

2005 

Nomination for ILKSSA: National Heritage Council, National Living Treasure Award, South Africa
Oman Association of the Arts Award, Oman

2004 

Order of Ikhamanga Silver Award given by the Presidency, South Africa

2002

Nomination for the Human Sciences Research Council Living Treasure Award, South Africa

1990

Vita Fine Art Award, South Africa

1989

Fulbright Scholarship, USA
Standard Bank Young Artist Award, South Africa

1988

Star Woman of the Year fi nalist, South Africa