Mercy Thokozane Minah, a talented gender-expansive, queer multi-disciplinary artist has captured the hearts and minds of many with their vibrant and thought-provoking creations. Their work spans across various mediums, including literature, audio-visual, theatre, and visual arts.
From a young age, Mercy’s life was intertwined with art. They found their passion for creativity through participating in plays, poetry and song performances at church and continued to explore storytelling and visual art throughout their school years. With minimal formal training, Mercy honed their artistic skills in signing, songwriting and performing stories, painting, drawing and illustrating.
After an unsuccessful four years in Law School, Mercy embarked on a series of corporate jobs. However, their true calling as an artist could not be ignored. They began publishing short stories in various anthologies, showcasing their talent and unique voice. Their interest in self-marketing led them to self-publish an anthology of South African-based horror stories.
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In 2019, Mercy took a leap of faith and pursued formal training in Theatre and Performance Arts, focusing on directing and writing. They wrote their first play-script, titled “Imigqomo Yase Gomorrah,” which was in the process of being staged when the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020. The pandemic brought disruption and interruption but also served as a catalyst for Mercy’s return to visual art.
In 2019, Mercy took a leap faith and pursued formal training in Theatre and Performance Arts, focusing on directing and writing. They wrote their first play-script, titled “Imigqomo Yase Gomorrah” which was in the process of being staged when the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020. The pandemic brought disruption and interruption but also served as a catalyst for Mercy’s return to visual art.
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During the pandemic, Mercy found solace and catharsis in creating digital oil paintings. Their distinctively vibrant depictions of intimacy between Black, gender and sexually self-determined individuals have gained recognition and praise. Their work has been exhibited and featured across various platforms, including magazines, campaigns, podcasts, and art collections.
