SA artist Tshela Matsoso is born

Date: 21 Jun 1949
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

Leonard Tshela Mohapi Matsoso was born in Pimville, Soweto. Between 1962 and 1970, while still at school, Matsoso studied at the Jubilee Art Centre under Cecil Skotnes, Sydney Kumalo, Bill Hart and Ezrom Legae. In 1972 he studied at the Bill Ainslie Studios and traveled to France, England and Italy. He then worked for the SABC as a graphic artist. Between 1970 and 1988 he exhibited in South Africa, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Athens, Greece; Canberra, Australia and in Bonn and Nuremberg, West Germany. In 1972 he received first prize and a trip to Paris in the UTA Pavement Artist Competition, and in 1973 a prize at the Sao Paulo Biennale. He was also commissioned to do work for the State Theatre in Pretoria.

Search events by date

What happened on your birthday?

How we know this

01Sack, S. (1988). The Neglected Tradition: Towards a New History of South African Art (1930-1988), Johannesburg: Johannesburg Art Gallery.
02Revisions Leonard Matsoso [online] Available at: www.revisions.co.za [Accessed on 11 June 2013]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). SA artist Tshela Matsoso is born. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011728

South African History Online (2011) 'SA artist Tshela Matsoso is born', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011728 (Accessed: 30 September 2026).

South African History Online, SA artist Tshela Matsoso is born [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011728, (accessed 30 September 2026).

"SA artist Tshela Matsoso is born." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011728. Accessed 30 Sept. 2026.

South African History Online. "SA artist Tshela Matsoso is born." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011728.