Frans Thoka – Pula

Pula - Rain

"Frans Moshimanyana Thoka (know as Frans Thoka), an emerging contemporary talent, was born in Polokwane, Limpopo Province, South Africa. He graduated from art school (the University of Johannesburg). However, he regards himself as a self-taught artist. His body of work reflects on colonialism, his own experiences, and his memory. The artworks do not serve as a solution, however a surface where conversations about colonial injustices and other forms of imprisonment come into existence, possibly challenge how people perceive current life crisis specifically in black communities. He uses Prison blankets as his medium, which emphasises any form of imprisonment to the marginalized in society, and reminds the onlooker of the reality of the marginalized."

Artist Biography:

Frans Moshimanyana Thoka (known as Frans Thoka), an emerging contemporary talent, was born in 1997 in Polokwane, Limpopo Province, South Africa. He obtained his BA in Visual Art from the University of Johannesburg. However, he regards himself as a self-taught artist. His work revolves around the concept of what is humane; “his belief in the shared and universal nature of our common humanity”. Through his work, he subverts inequality in 'human' interaction and reinforces the need for dignity and kindness. His artistic approach is, in some way, trials and hardships of his upbringing. He uses Prison blankets as his medium, which emphasizes the bare necessities available to the marginalized in society, and reminds the onlooker of the reality of the marginalized. "The medium is central, not only to Thoka's iconography but to the social impact of his work."