Tony Gum is not just an artist; she’s also a storyteller. Through her art, she talks about important things like how men and women are seen, the effects of history on our lives, and how different cultures fit together. She’s a free thinker, someone who believes artists have a big role in the world today.
Her art has a special style, and she’s full of youthful energy. People from around the world are becoming interested in South African artists because of her. She combines digital art, design, paint, and real-life objects to tell stories that touch the heart. Her art explores the joys and challenges of being human in a way that surprises and delights us.
Tony Gum has made many famous works that make us think about who we are and where we come from. From “Black Cola” to “Free Da Gum,” she’s pushed boundaries and made us look at the world in new ways.
She didn’t stop there. In 2020, she started painting, showing us that inspiration can come from the things we see every day. In Italy, she shared her art with the world, creating sculptures of special women from her culture, the Xhosa people. These sculptures are made in a way that’s all her own, where she is both the artist and the art.
“I don’t just make art for the art world or for fancy brands. My message is for my people. There’s so much beauty in us that should be celebrated.”
Tony Gum’s dream is to make art that everyone can enjoy. She uses everyday things and experiences to inspire young people in South Africa to be creative and understand that art is for everyone, not just a select few. She’s working hard to make sure her art is for all South Africans, no matter where they come from.
Her art is pure and simple, and it’s something you have to see to truly understand. She’s not just an artist; she’s also a teacher, helping young people learn to create and build their own future. She wants kids to be able to work with their hands and make things, and she’s there to guide them. Her goal is to make a new generation of makers who can be self-sufficient. It’s not just about creating art; it’s about finding beauty and purpose in the world around us.
Tony Gum is a bright star in South Africa’s creative world, and her art speaks to the soul. Her work challenges our thinking and inspires creativity in all of us. She’s not just an artist; she’s a storyteller, a trailblazer, and an advocate for making art something that belongs to everyone.
