(Born in 1981 in Molteno, South Africa. Lives and works in Johannesburg, South Africa.)

Having grown up in a semi-rural village in South Africa’s poorest province, Eastern Cape, Asanda Kupa’s work depicts the struggle and lack of access to basic resources experienced by South Africa’s poor black population. He also celebrates the long history of civic action and grass-roots protest in his work. Kupa’s paintings are layered pigments over blacked-out canvases, capturing incredible energy no matter the subject. His figures are always full of emotion.

Kupa has exhibited in South Africa and Iran and has been part of group shows including Art X Lagos 2019, FNB JpburgArtFair 2018, and Investec Cape Town Art Fair. His work is part of important collections including The Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art, and in 2013 he was the recipient of the Reinhold Cassirer Award.