Prestigious Alumni
Many FADA graduates have gone on to distinguish themselves at regional, national and international levels and the Department of Visual Art is proud to be associated with, amongst others, the following internationally acclaimed alumni:
Paul Stopforth completed his diploma at the College of Art, Johannesburg where he was awarded the Student Representative Council Award for Best Student in 1967 before going on to study at the Royal College of Art, London, graduating in 1985. Paul lectured at Wits University and at Harvard. In 2004, he was Artist in Residence at The Robben Island Museum and delivered the Ruth First Memorial Lecture at Brandeis University, Boston in 2003. He has exhibited extensively and has works in collections in South Africa, Europe and the USA. In 2010 he was the subject of a monograph (TAXI-015, David Krut Publishing). He is currently on the faculty of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts.
Willem Boshoff, as past student, staff member and Director of the Department is one of our prestigious alumni. He has built a formidable international career, has been the subject of an important monograph and has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Johannesburg. Willem has also been shortlisted for the University’s Dignitas Award. In 2011 FADA held its 4th Prestigious Alumni Exhibition which featured Willem Boshoff, titled Setups and Upsets. Willem had exhibited extensively both nationally and internationally.
Dr Carol Hofmeyr (right) with Prof Roy Marcus: Chairperson of Council, University of Johannesburg (left), other recipients, and Prof Ihron Rensburg: Vice-Chancellor and Principal, University of Johannesburg (next to Carol)
Carol Hofmeyr has completed her Masters degree in the Department in 2000 and has been nominated for the Shoprite/Checkers Woman of the Year Award. Carol, a medical doctor, was awarded the University of Johannesburg’s most prestigious award for service to society, the Ellen Kuzwayo Award. Carol directs the Keiskamma Art Project with the aim of alleviating poverty and promoting self-esteem through art and creativity in this Eastern Cape rural community.
Robyn studied in the Department between 1995 & 1998 and now lives and works in Berlin. His recent solo exhibitions have been held in: Melbourne (2013), Brussels (2012), Los Angeles (2010), New York (2004, 2007, 2009), Columbus, OH (2009), London (2008, 2011) , Munich (2007), Tokyo (2006), Champagne-Ardenne, France (2006), Berlin (2006), Madrid (2006), Miami, FL (2005), Cape Town (2000) and Johannesburg (2000, 2013). He has won numerous international awards and has been Artist-in-Residence at: The Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN (2003), The Rose Art Museum, Brandeis University, Boston, MA (2003), Karl Hofer Gesellschaft (HDK) Berlin, Germany (2001), Gasworks Gallery, London, UK (2001) and The South African National Gallery, Cape Town (2000).
Nicholas graduated in 2002. Since then he has forged a successful international career. Among his awards are: Artist’s residency at Thami Mnyele Foundation, Amsterdam (2005), The Tollman Award for Visual Art (2006), The Standard Bank Young Artist Award: Visual Art (2009), the Rolex Visual Arts Protégé (2010/11) where he was mentored by the British artist Anish Kapoor (pictured with Hlobo above). His recent international solo exhibitions include: New York (2012), Oslo (2011), Lacoste, France (2010), Rome (2007 & 2009), London (2008), Boston, MA (2008), Savannah, Georgia (2007) and on important international group shows including: Copenhagen (2013), Sydney (2012), Paris (2012), The Hague (2012) and 54th Venice Biennale The World Belongs to You, Palazzo Grassi, Venice (2011). Nicholas was awarded the University of Johannesburg’s Alumni Dignitas Award in 2010.
Mary graduated in 2007. She is the Standard Bank Young Artist Award Winner: Visual Art for 2013 and was the South African representative at the 54th Venice Biennale in 2011. Other major exhibitions of her work were held in: The Hague (2012), Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Berlin and Helsinki (all in 2011), Dakar, Johannesburg and Cape Town (all in 2009) and in Paris (2007). In 2014 Mary was awarded the University’s prestigious Dignitas Award
Lerato graduated with a BTech: Fine Art in 2006 and now lives and works in Berlin. Lerato has had solo exhibitions in Johannesburg, Grahamstown, Cape Town, Berlin and London. She is the recipient of the prestigious 2016 UJ Alumni Dignitas Award