Artist Anthony Wakaba Mutheki from Glenashley, near Umhlanga, added another bow to his string of achievements, after being selected to show a solo exhibition at Decorex’s Cape Town décor and design expo.

Recently presenting his work at Kizo Gallery, Mutheki’s selection forms part of the newly launched Decorex/Kizo Art Awareness Programme aimed at backing South African artists and promoting the joys of living with original art.

“In essence Mutheki has been chosen to be the face of KwaZulu-Natal art at Decorex Cape,” says Craig Mark patron of the Decorex/Kizo art initiative. Cape artist Tay Dall exhibited at Decorex Kzn in March, while Richard Scott will exhibit at Decorex Jhb in August.

A mere 12 years ago, Anthony Mutheki lived in a shelter, surviving from the sale of empty cool drink bottles. With no formal art training, this talented young artist is creating a major stir amongst South African and International art collectors alike. He boasts sell out shows in New York and Philadelphia and has travelled and exhibited extensively both locally and abroad.

“It is often argued that Tony’s lack of formal art training has given his work an attractive roughness and integrity of its own,” adds Mark. “His works are uniform in their power, each having the gift of capturing a mood with such honesty, so as to literally stop the viewer in his tracks.”

Some of Tony Mutheki’s works can be viewed on www.kizo.co.za