Mbongeni Mhlongo

Artist Profile
Mbongeni’s artistic practice is deeply inspired by music and dance, exploring the expressive qualities of movement, mood, and rhythm. Through his vibrant compositions, he invites viewers to connect with the emotional beauty of his work, transforming the energy of music into a visual experience.
He regards his paintings as visual music, expressing his innermost feelings through colour, gesture, and texture. With a paintbrush as his instrument and the canvas as his stage, Mbongeni sings his songs through paint, creating visual melodies that speak directly to the soul.
His body of work consists predominantly of figurative compositions, evolving from abstract forms into recognisable imagery. Through the use of vibrant colours, rich textures, expressive brushwork, and three-dimensional effects, he creates dynamic works that capture the essence of rhythm, the poetry of movement, and the emotional depth of human expression.
Add my Johannesburg and South African context
Make my artistic voice more distinctive
Reduce repetition around music and rhythm

Durban University of Technology

*1995 - Group Exhibition at African Art Centre
*1996 - Group Exhibition at African Art Centre
*1999 - Group Exhibition at NSA conference opening
*2002 - Ndabuko Art Gallery
*2003 - Botanical Gardens open air exhibition
*2005 - Art In the Park Pietermaritzburg
*Artists Under the Sun (participated in members exhibition from 2008-2014
*2005 - IDC Group Exhibition
*2021 - Group Exhibition at Nugget Square Johannesburg
*2026 - Group Exhibition titled "Tswelopile"
*2026 - Group Exhibition titled "Uncurated"