Tumisang Khalipha artworks are a visual exploration of figurative art through a mixture of mediums

Tumisang Khalipha is a visual artist and printmaker born in the rural village of Mahikeng, North West. In 2003 , his family relocated to Katlehong where his passion for art came to fruition. In an interview with Stay Low Label Head, Vaughn Thiel, Khalipha recalled a memory from his childhood, painting his bedroom and dining room in every possible hue. It’s too common in African communities for parents to disapprove of children pursuing unconventional careers that are outside of the status quo of being a doctor, engineer or an accountant. That wasn’t the case for Khalipha, his father validated and supported the essence of his dream of being an artist.

Over the years, Khalipha has established himself within the art community, visually exploring figurative art, using a mixture of mediums that include acrylic, charcoal, water, colour, pencil and coffee. He does this on mostly paper and canvas of different dimensions. The essence of an artwork more often than not is a reflection of the artist, their life experiences. Khalipha uses water as a medium because growing up in the villages, they had to draw water from rivers and running streams. Due to a lack of resources, that water was hardly pure enough for human consumption which ultimately impacted his health as a young boy. Staying true to himself, he turned his life story into a concept that lives in his paintings.

According to Latitude, “under the mentorship of Sharon Sampson, Khalipha expresses his creative skills through printmaking and other mediums of preference. He has attended printmaking classes at Edition Vary – Parkhurst in 2017, coached by the linocut specialist Jan Tshikhuthula & drypoint expert Lebohang Sithole. He recently completed his third year, studying Printmaking at Artist Proof Studios”.

In May, 2022 he joined a list of some the most talented artists in South Africa, signing under the management of Stay Low. Khalipha joined the likes of Priddy Ugly, Mars Baby, Bontle Modiselle, Lordkez and more. The visual artist’s signature of combining nostalgia with texture lives on a Mural in Bontle Modisele Mural dance studio at the Hallmark House Hotel. He also designed the cover art for Priddy Ugly’s critically acclaimed sophomore album, SOIL. Late last year, he launched his art studio in New Doornfontein.