SIZANI BALOYI

Sizani Baloyi (b. 1994, Giyani, Limpopo) is a Johannesburg-based visual artist whose practice spans painting, sculpture, and printmaking. Having moved to Johannesburg in 2001, he currently lives and works in a small informal settlement community in Soweto.

Baloyi’s artistic journey began at an early age while attending Clip Valley Primary School, where he won an art competition that earned his school its first computer. He later attended PJ Simelane Secondary School, excelling in Visual Arts and graduating in 2014 as one of the top-performing students in the subject.

In 2015, Baloyi enrolled at Artist Proof Studio, where he trained as a professional printmaker. After four years of study, he graduated in 2018. During this period, he received several accolades, including winning the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce Art Competition in 2017. Following his graduation, he completed an internship with renowned South African artist William Kentridge.

Over the years, Baloyi’s work has gained increasing recognition. In 2020, he was featured by Design Indaba in its “Master of Art” coverage, and in 2021 he participated in the Turbine Art Fair Unearthed programme. He has exhibited widely in group exhibitions and collaborated with various galleries as an associate artist.

In 2025, Baloyi presented his first solo exhibition, Like Birds in the Cornfield, marking a significant milestone in his career and establishing him as a full-time practicing artist.

Baloyi’s work examines the socio-economic realities of contemporary South Africa, exploring themes of inequality, resilience, and hope. Drawing inspiration from the experiences of marginalized communities particularly those living in informal settlements his practice offers a nuanced reflection on everyday life, survival, and human dignity.