Johannes Maswanganyi

Biography

Johannes Maswanganyi was born in 1948 in Msengi village near Giyani in the Limpopo Province where he still lives today.

Maswanganyi received his carving tuition from his father, who carved functional objects (spoons, bowls and walking sticks). In 1965 Johannes began making these same functional objects as well as musical instruments and traditional healers tools (dolls and medicine containers).

His eldest son, Colin, is now carrying on the family tradition and studied Fine Art at technikon, following in his father’s footsteps as a sculptor.

Noticeable in Maswanganyi’s works are his preference for lead wood and his use of coloured enamel paint.

He has been exhibiting nationally and internationally since 1985. His works are housed both privately and publicly at:

Durban Art Museum
S.A. National Gallery
University of Witwatersrand,
Sandton Convention Centre, JHB