Bambo Sibiya creates portraits using acrylic and charcoal on unstretched canvas. The artist starts with visual references from the 1970s, re-staging and photographing these as source material for his paintings. Background patterns and textures are built up using hand cut stencils, inspired by found textiles in local markets. The artist draws his subject matter from early township life during apartheid in Johannesburg, South Africa. His recent work looks into the subculture that started in the mining industry among migrant workers surviving away from home. Each painting focuses on the spirit of ‘Swenkas’ (a subculture of working-class men who participate in amateur fashion competitions), their unique ways of overcoming challenges in the face of adversity and exercising self-determination. Sibiya’s work was exhibited at the 10th Print Biennale, Chamalières (2017) and the 7th International Lithographic Symposium, Tidaholm (2015).