Artists We Love: Loyiso Mkize

INTERVIEWED BY Malibongwe Tyilo IMAGES Loyiso Mkize Art

Loyiso Mkize has been hard at work building a name for himself across various platforms.

He has two solo shows in the bag, his work was recently shown at the FNB Joburg Art Fair and he’s worked as an illustrator for the Supa Strikas comic book, which appears in various local newspapers and magazines. He also owns his own company, Loyiso Mkize Art, which publishes, amongst other things, the South African superhero comic book Kwezi. We caught up with this 28-year-old artist.

It can be difficult for people trained as graphic designers to break into the art world. Why do you think you’ve been able to do that successfully?

I suppose I see myself as having been a visual artist even before I studied graphic design. That is my true north, and when I finished studying I guess I defaulted to who I really am. I studied graphic design to broaden my palette, to learn something I didn’t know. It’s taught me a lot about how to package my artwork to the viewer. As a designer, one of the key concerns is aesthetic appeal, to be able to make things visually stimulating and arrest the viewer’s attention. That understanding and skill has done wonders for my art.

We’ve seen your work pop up regularly online and at the FNB Joburg Art Fair, and a quick read through your website reveals that you are a busy man. How do you maintain balance while keeping so busy?

The key is to maintain a stable home environment. At home I get to relax with my wife and my kid and enjoy the daily things in life, and that truly does ground you. If one is obsessed with being a persona in the art world it can end up distorting what one wants to do with one’s work. I think it is also crucial to establish solid time management systems. For me, that means waking up at 3am every morning and working. I find the morning is a golden time for creativity.

What kinds of projects does your visual arts and communication company Loyiso Mkize Art work on, and what are some recent highlights?

We specialise in comic book illustration, especially entertainment-based products. Basically, we provide a service or product for companies that need to communicate their message visually. We recently worked on a project with 702. We’ve also completed an anti-bullying comic book, commissioned by the CEO of Archie Comics in the States. I’ve also just finished a new comic strip, which will be in a newspaper soon. Next year we have a project that is going to see us branch out into animation. Then of course there’s the art I do personally, which also helps to build the profile of the company.

Any advice for other young artists hoping to get their name out there?

There are three things that I think are very important. Firstly, you must know what you’re good at, really think about it and be harsh with yourself, be your own worst critic. Once you are confident in what it is you’re good at, then you can do what’s necessary to build a career. And that involves lots of work, training, studying, and discipline to make sure you are consistently getting better.

Secondly, ask questions. Fortunately we have much more access these days. Thirdly, and most importantly, make work that truly matters, not just because it’s pretty. It’s crucial that artists don’t fall into that trap. People are consuming information daily, and in order for your work to be memorable, it has to speak to a longing.

Who are some of your favourite South African artists?

Khaya Witbooi, Sindiso Nyoni and Ruramai Musekiwa. I’m also inspired by a lot of people outside the visual arts environment, like Okmalumkoolkat.

When you are not creating work, what are some of the subjects that interest you?

It’s always got to do with the continent going forward, the future of the continent, which involves a lot of reading and researching stuff.

Lastly, and lightly, please tell us one thing people probably don’t know about you.

People probably don’t know that I have a twin.

For more information about Loyiso’s work, visit loyisomkize.carbonmade.com.