Vumelani Sibeko, a South African/Swazi artist represented by Yebo Gallery, is currently in New York attending a one month arts residency hosted by Apexart. Vumelani is visiting apexart from Johannesburg, South Africa, from November 1 – December 1, 2012. 
About Apex apexart is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit contemporary visual arts organization located in Lower Manhattan. Through our exhibitions, international residency, publication initiatives, and programs and events, we are committed to cultural and intellectual diversity and aim to stimulate public dialogue about contemporary art. Our exhibitions and programs are intended to promote consideration among our local audience while extending the dialogue to our international audience through our print and electronic outreach. About Vumelani Vumelani Sibeko was born in Emndeni Soweto in 1975. Sibeko studied at Vaal Triangle Technikon (now Vaal University of Technology) between 1997 and 1999. At the Technikon, he became exposed to racial differences. He says that, "it was more of a political class than anything else. You were constantly reminded that you were black." At an early age, Sibeko recalls his mother's support for his drawing on white paper, until he began drawing on his school clothes. He made a b
usiness with his art at an early age, drawing for fellow classmates in biology class. Until February 2012, he used the surname Buthelezi, a surname his father adopted from a family he boarded with after escaping life as a farm laborer in search of a better life in Johannesburg. Vumelani has participated in several exhibitions at Yebo in Swaziland, who he is now officially represented by. You can read more about Vumelani's experience in NYC on his blog – check it out! Yebo wishes him all the best, and safe returns to share his stories and ideas with the rest of the artists!
