Born 1981, Francistown, Botswana
Lives in New York, NY
EDUCATION
2011
MFA, Interdisciplinary Studio, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
2007
Independent Study Program, Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY
BA, Williams College, Williamstown, MA
2006
Affiliate Independent Study Program, Slade School of Fine Art, London, UK
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2019
Bread Butter, and Power, Smart Museum of Art, Chicago, IL
2018
Double Bind, New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, New York
Objects of Desire: Reflections on the African Still Life, Honor Fraser, Los Angeles, CA
Meleko Mokgosi: Acts of Resistance, Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore, MD
Meleko Mokgosi: Bread, Butter, and Power, Fowler Museum at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
2017
Lex and Love: Meleko Mokgosi, Williams College Museum of Art, Williamstown, MA
Pax Kaffraria, The Memorial Art Gallery and Rochester Contemporary Art Center, Rochester, NY
2016
Meleko Mokgosi: Democratic Intuition: Lerato and Comrades II, Jack Shainman Gallery, New York, NY
Comrades, Stevenson Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa
2015
Meleko Mokgosi: Democratic Intuition, Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, MA
Meleko Mokgosi, Jack Shainman Gallery: The School, Kinderhook, NY
2014
Positions, Art Basel Miami Beach, Miami, FL
Pax Kaffraria, Honor Fraser, Los Angeles, CA
2009
Meleko Mokgosi, Williams Club Gallery, New York, NY
2007
In Transit, Charles P. Russel Gallery, Deerfield Academy, Deerfield, MA
2003
Maitisong, Gaborone, Botswana
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2018
Lines of Influence, SCAD Museum of Art, Savannah, GA
2017
Conversations: Selections From the Permanent Collection, Cornell Fine Arts Museum, Winter Park, FL
The Ease of Fiction, Museum of the African Diaspora, San Francisco, CA
2016
The Ease of Fiction, Contemporary Art Museum Raleigh, Raleigh, NC; California African American Museum, Los Angeles, CA
2015
Unrealism, Gagosian Gallery, Miami, FL
Schema, Stevenson Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa
A Story within a story, Göteborg International Biennial for Contemporary Art, Göteborg, Sweden
Nero su Bianco, American Academy in Rome Gallery, Rome, Italy
African Odysseys, Le Brass, Centre Culturel de Forest, Belgium
Remembering Things Past, Islip Art Museum, East Islip, NY
2014
Kings County, Stevenson Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa
2013
Meanwhile…Suddenly and Then, The Lyon Biennale, Lyon, France
The Beautyful Ones, Nolan Judin, Berlin, Germany
Migrating Identities, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, CA
Inside This Human Clay, ltd los angeles, Los Angeles, CA
2012
Made in L.A. 2012, organized by the Hammer Museum in collaboration with LAXART, Los Angeles, CA
Primary Sources, The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York, NY
Capital Offense: The End(s) of Capitalism, Beacon Arts Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
The Bearden Project, The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York, NY
2011
Look III, The Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art Museum, Peekskill, NY
2010
MFA Graduate Exhibition, New Wight Gallery, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Greater Los Angeles MFA Exhibition, University of California, Long Beach, CA
2009
Without, New Wight Gallery, University of California Los Angeles, CA
Narratives of Now, University of California Los Angeles, CA
Without, Work Gallery, New York, NY
2008
Four Continents, Botswana National Gallery and Thapong Workshop, Gaborone, Botswana
AmericAura, National Library of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon
Pool of Possibilities: Mapping Currents for the 3rd Guangzhou Triennial, Guangzhou, China
Independent Study Program Exhibition, Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY
2007
AmeriAura, Hampden Gallery, University of Amherst, MA
AmericAura, Augusta Savage Gallery, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
Nineteen, Williams College Museum of Art, Williamstown, MA
Fellowship Exhibition, The Lichtenstein Gallery, Berkshire Art Association, Pittsfield, MA
2006
Senior Exhibition, Wilde Gallery, Spencer Art Studio, Williamstown, MA
2005
Slade School of Fine Art Student Exhibition, Woburn Square Studios, London, UK
Fellowship Exhibition, Berkshire Art Association, Pittsfield, MA
Berkshire Biennial, Contemporary Artist Center, North Adams, MA
2004
Independent Study Exhibition, Wilde Gallery, Spencer Studio, Williamstown, MA
2002
Thapong International Artists Workshop Group Exhibition, National Gallery, Gaborone, Botswana
2001
Alliance Française Gallery, Gaborone, Botswana
2000
National Gallery, Gaborone, Botswana
AWARDS & RESIDENCIES
2017
The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant, Montreal, QC
Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Fine Arts, Vilcek Foundation, New York, NY
2015-2016
Rauschenberg Residency, Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, Captiva, FL
2012
Painters and Scuptors Grant Program, The Joan Mitchell Foundation
Mohn Award, presented in conjunction with Made in L.A. 2012
Artist in Residence Program, Studio Museum in Harlem, New York, NY
PUBLIC INSTALLATIONS
2011
The Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art, Peekskill, NY
2008
Eli Broad Art Center, Los Angeles, CA
2006
Williams College Theater, Williamstown, MA
BIBLIOGRAPHY
2019
Badwan, Bara. “Painter Meleko Mokgosi to join School of Art as associate professor.” Yale News, May 16
Valentine, Victoria L., “Artist Meleko Mokgosi Appointed Associate Professor of Painting/ Printmaking at Yale School of Art.” Culture Type, May 15
2018
“Baltimore Museum of Art Acquires Forty-Eight Works by Amy Sherald, Melvin Edwards, and Others.” Artforum, December 21
Kaltenbach, Chris. “Baltimore Miseum of Art acquires 48 new works, some with funds from sale of major pieces.” The Baltimore Sun, December 19
Zellen, Jody. “Meleko Mokgosi.” Visual Art Source, December
Osberg, Annabel. “Meleko Mokgosi.” Artillery Magazine, December 5
Valentine, Victoria L. “On View – ‘Meleko Mokgosi: Bread, Butter, and Power’ at Fowler Museum at UCLA.” Culture Type, June 14
Gyorody, Andrea. “Meleko Mokgosi.” Artforum, June
Limbong, Andrew. “Baltimore Museum Says Goodbye Warhol, Hello Younger, More Diverse Collection.” NPR Illinois, May 19
Knight, Christopher. “The art of daily existence: Meleko Mokgosi’s provocative show at the UCLA Fowler Museum.” Los Angeles Times, May 7
Li, Jennifer S. “Meleko Mokgosi” Art in America, May 1
Zimmerer, Kathy. “Meleko Mokgosi: Bread, Butter, and Power at UCLA Fowler.” Art and Cake, April 25
Ahn, Abe. “Paintings that Question the Promises of Postcolonial Democracy.” Hyperallergic, April 12
Drohojowska-Philp, Hunter. “Meleko Mokgosi at the Fowler Museum.” KCRW, April 5
Angelou, Leah Marie. “The 2018 Armory Show showcased and sold extravagant contemporary artworks.” Born 2 Invest, March 20
Vernali, Cameron. “Alumnus’ art uses novel techniques to portray southern African feminism.” Daily Bruin, February 13
Valentine, Victoria L. “Lines of Influence: Centennial Exhibition Explores Jacob Lawrence’s Connections with Artists Past and Present.” Culture Type, January 30
2017
Dunlap, Anne. “Morning adventures at the Cornell, Morse and Polasek museums in Winter Park.” Orlando Sentinel, October 13
Boucher, Brian. “Here Are the 7 Best Artworks on Offer at EXPO Chicago 2017.” Artnet News, September 14
Siegel, Ed. “From Picasso To Rauschenberg, Williamstown Museums Embrace The Modern World.” wbur, August 2
Reep, Richard. “CFAM curates selections from their permanent collection in eloquent juxtaposition.” Orlando Weekly, July 12
“Motswana Painter Wins American Prize.” The Monitor, February 6
“Two African Immigrant artists honored for contributions to American Society.” African Herald Express February 3
“Immigrant artists honored for contributions to American Society.” EIN News, February 2
Greenberger, Alex. “Nari Ward Wins $100,000 Vilcek Prize for Immigrant Artists.” Artnews, February 1
Colby, Jeanette. “Events celebrating black history.” Newscenter, February 1
Flanigan, Robin L. “Mokgosi’s art comes to joint MAG and RoCo exhibit.” Democrat & Chronicle, January 26
“Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester Contemporary Art Center Collaborate on Exhibit.” Brighton-Pittsford Post, January 13
2016
Gyorody, Andrea. “Critics’ Picks: The Ease of Fiction.” Artforum, December
Plagens, Peter. “New York Gallery Shows for the Weekend.” The Wall Street Journal, October 7
“In Conversation: Meleko Mokgosi with Allie Biswas.” The Brooklyn Rail, October 4
Lesser, Casey. “16 New York Gallery Shows Where You’ll Find Exciting Young Artists This October.” Artsy Editorial, September 30
Young, Allison. “Critics’ Picks: Meleko Mokgosi.” Artforum, September 16
Embuscado, Rain. “Your Ultimate Guide to New York Gallery Crawls.” Artnet News, September 10
D’Angelo, Madelaine. “Back to School for the Art World: 6 Must-See Exhibitions in Chelsea.” The Huffington Post, September 9
Embuscado, Rain. “A Lot Happened in Jack Shainman’s Basement with Artist Meleko Mokgosi.” Artnet News, September 8
Helmke, Juliet. “Q&A: Meleko Mokgosi on His Dual Presentation at Jack Shainman Gallery.” Blouin Artinfo, September 7
“New York Gallery Guide: The Fall Shows Not to Miss.” Artslant New York, September 7
“9 Art Events to Attend in New York City This Week.” Artnews, September 6
Embuscado, Rain. “Editor’s Picks: 8 Art Events to See in New York This Week. From Performances to Open Bars, See What’s Coming Up.” Artnet, September 5
Kazanjian, Dodie. “Fall Art Guide: 13 Shows to See This Season.” Vogue, August 30
Mullen, Matt. “Artists at Work: Meleko Mokgosi.” Interview, August 11
Offodile, Anaeze. “Pax Kaffraria: Anaeze Offodile in Conversation with Meleko Mokgosi.” Osmos Magazine, Summer
“The Ease of Fiction: Valerie Kabov In Conversation with Dexter Wimberly.” Art Africa, June
2015
The AFC Staff. “The Best 25 Shows of 2015.” artfcity, December 31
Farley, Michael Anthony. “Postcolonial Cinema in Oil on Canvas, After Canvas: Meleko Mokgosi at the ICA Boston.” ArtFCity, July 10
Haider, Faheem. “Paintings that Get (Kind of) Close to South Africa’s Colonial Aftermath.” Hyperallergic, April 10
Loos, Ted. “Cedar Grove, Peabody Essex and Other Niche Museums Foray Into Contemporary Art.” New York Times, March 16
2014
Kinsella, Eileen. “Art Basel in Miami Beach Blasts Out of the Gate.” Artnet News, December 3
Scheffler, Daniel. “Brooklyn Inspires African Artists.” The New York Times, October 14
Indrisek, Scott. “The Definitive Top 11 Booths at Art Basel Miami Beach.” Blouin Artinfo, December 3
Yareah Magazine. “Cape Town art. Njideka Akunyili, Meleko Mokgosi, Wangechi Mutu and Paul Mpagi Sepuya at Stevenson.” Yareah Magazine, September 28
Zellen, Jody. “Meleko Mokgosi.” Artillery, July 1
Tribinevicius, Medeine. “An Interrogation of Post-colonial History.” Mail & Guardian, June 27
Farago, Jason. “Critics’ Picks: Meleko Mokgosi.” Artforum, May 27
Ollman, Leah. “Meleko Mokgosi’s work flames with purpose and pointed history.” Los Angeles Times, May 9
Wood, Emily. “Pax Kaffraria: An Interview with Artist Meleko Mokgosi.” Africa Is A Country, April 28
2013
Markopolous, Leigh. “Painting Expanded.” Art Practical, April 15
Saltz, Jerry. “20 Things I Really Liked at the Art Fairs.” New York Magazine, March 16
“The Joan Mitchell Foundation announces the 2012 Painters & Sculptors Grant Recipients.” Joan Mitchell Foundation, January 18
“The 50 Most Iconic Artworks of the Past Five Years.” Complex, January 8
2012
“24 Artists to Watch: Meleko Mokgosi.” Modern Painters, December
Griffin, Jonathan. “Made in L.A.” Frieze, September 4
Finkel, Jori. “Hammer Museum’s $100,000 Mohn Award goes to Meleko Mokgosi.” Los Angeles Times, August 16
Clothier, Peter. “Made in LA.” Huffington Post, July 18
Kennedy, Randy. “Hammer Museum Awards Its Crowdsourced Art Prize.” The New York Times, August 16
Elliott, Bobby. “Primary Sources, The Studio Museum’s Annual Artist in Residence Exhibition.” Huffington Post, June 17
Stoilas, Helen. “Work dealing with African resistance wins $100,000 prize.” The Art Newspaper, August 16
Shatkin, Elina. “Meleko Mokgosi Wins $100,000 Made in L.A. Prize.” Los Angeles Magazine, August 16
“Exploring Art ‘Made in L.A. 2012’.” Our Weekly, August 23
Ferguson, Kevin. “Hammer Museum Named Made in LA Artist Melko Mokgosi for $100,000 Mohn Award.” KPCC, August 16
Pincus-Roth, Zachary. “Meleko Mokgosi Wins Hammer Museum’s Mohn Award.” LA Weekly, August 16
“Hammer Museum Selects Meleko Mokgosi as Recipient of the Mohn Award.” Fabrik, August 17
Gopnik, Blake. “High Art Brought Low By American Idol.” The Daily Beast, August 17
Skrzypczak, Meredith. “Meleko Mokgosi Receives Hammer Museum’s Mohn Award.” Culver City Patch, August 21
Mogende, Modiri. “Mokgosi Wins US Art Competition.” The Botswana Gazette, August 22
Sutton, Benjamin. “Painter Meleko Mokgosi Wins Hammer Museum’s Inaugural ‘American Idol’ – Style Mohn Award.” Artinfo, August 16
“Hammer Museum Awards $100,000 Biennial Art Prize to Meleko Mokgosi.” Art Media Agency, August 20
Sutton, Benjamin. “Honor Fraser Picks Up Painter Meleko Mokgosi, Winner of the Inaugural Mohn Award.” Artinfo, August 17
Boucher, Brian. “Meleko Mokgosi Wins ‘Made in LA’ Mohn Award.” Art in America, August 16
Cascone, Sarah. “Finalists for Hammer/LAXART’s Inaugural Mohn Prize Announced.” Art in America, June 28
Lipschultz, Yael. “Meleko Mokgosi’s Existentialism.” Art in America, June 29
“Meleko Mokgosi to Receive Hammer Museum’s Mohn Award.” ArtDaily, September 4
2011
John, Arit. “Graduate Students to Exhibit their Artwork at the ART MFA Exhibition #1.” Daily Bruin, March 3
2009
Lebowitz, Aniuli. “Without at WORK Gallery.” Artcat, April 3
PUBLICATIONS
2016
Morrill, Rebecca, Kathryn Rattee, and Julia Hasting. Vitamin P3: New Perspectives in Painting. London, New York: Phaidon Press Limited
Farago, Jason. Meleko Mokgosi: Comrades. Cape Town: Hansa Print
2015
Harris, Lyle Ashton, Peter Benson Miller, and Robert Storr. Nero Su Bianco. Rome: American Academy in Rome
Ose, Elvira Dyangani. A Story Within A Story. Stockholm: Art and Theory
2014
Binstock, Jonathan P. and Malik Gaines. Meleko Mokgosi: Pax Kaffraria. Los Angeles: Hammer Museum
Cole, Teju. Kings County. Cape Town: Hansa Print
2013
Van Rensburg, Storm Janse. The Beautyful Ones. Berlin: Nolan Judin
2012
Ellegood, Anne, Lauri Firstenberg, Malik Gaines, Cesar Garcia, and Ali Subotnick. Made in L.A. 2012. Los Angeles: Hammer Museum
Haynes, Lauren, Jessica Lott, Samir S. Patel, and Romare Bearden. The Bearden Project. New York: The Studio Museum in Harlem
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art for Rollins College, Winter Park, FL
Colby Museum of Art, Waterville, ME
The Eckard Collection, The Hague, Netherlands
Hammer Museum, Los Angeles, CA
Pérez Art Museum, Miami, FL
The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York, NY