Isaac Sithole

Born and raised in Maputo, Mocambique, Isaac was introduced to the traditional technique of woodcarving by friends in his neighborhood when he was twelve years old.  In 1990, at the age of sixteen, Isaac moved to South Africa with a friend and immediately linked up with other young artists in the community.  Shortly after moving to Durban, Isaac joined the BAT Centre where he worked as a professional, fulltime woodcarver. 

In 1992, Isaac was exposed to the technique of woodcut printing, a medium he continued to embrace.  Isaac said it was his experience as a sculptor which advanced his affinity and love of working and experimenting with woodblock printing.  In approximately 1998, Isaac started exploring the technique of colour reduction woodcut techniques, which entails cutting away at the woodblock each time a new colour is printed. 

Isaac has exhibited at a number of galleries in South Africa and in Durban, including the Durban Art Gallery, the African Art Centre and the BAT Centre's Democratic Gallery.  His work is represented in numerous private and corporate collections including the Tatham Art Gallery, the Durban Art Gallery, and the Killie Campbell Museum.  Isaac was also responsible for the artwork which adorns the central food court at the Liberty Midlands Mall in Pietermaritzburg.  These murals are enlargements of his woodcut prints.

    Wood sculptures, Mezzanine Gallery – BAT Centre
    “Time in Life” Menzi Mchunu Gallery – BAT Centre
    “O Tenpo na Vida” Centro de Estudio Brasileiros, Maputo
    “Longo Caminho” Centro de Estudio Brasileiros, Maputo
    “Heritage Art Exhibition” – Durban Art Gallery
      2003          Solo exhibition, The African Art Centre
      2003          Liberty Mall, Pietermaritzburg
      2003         Group exhibition at the BAT Centre
      2004         Solo exhibition, Kloof, Maytime Centre
      2004         O tempo na Vida, Centro de Estudio Brasileiros, Maputo
      2004         Nando’s Collection
      2005         Solo Exhibition, Summerhill Guest Estate
      2006         Art in the Park, Pietermaritzburg
      2006         Solo Exhibition, Australia
      2006         Solo Exhibition, Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg
      2006         Back Home solo at the Complete Picture Framing Co. Hillcrest
      2007         BAD: Best of African Design – 100% Zulu, London
      2007         Art Festival Kizo Gallery, Gateway Mall, Umhlanga, Durban
      2007         Art in the Park Pietermaritzburg
      2008         Back Home solo exhibition at the Complete Picture Framing Co. Hillcrest
      2008        Art in the Park Pietermaritzburg
      2008        RAD Art Festival Kizo Gallery, Gateway Mall, Umhlanga, Durban
      2008        Alternatives, Rosebank, Johannesburg
2009    RAD Art Festival, Kizo Gallery, Gateway Mall, Umhlanga, Durban
2009    Group Exhibition, Artspace, Durban
2010    Group Exhibition, Gallagher Estate
2010    Selected Artist 2010 Fine Art Collection    

Collections

Durban Art Gallery
Albert Luthuli Museum
Numerous Private Collection in South Africa and Abroad
Tatham Gallery Pietermaritzburg

Exhibitions at the KZNSA