Greatjoy Ndlovu (b. 1993) is a world-renowned contemporary artist based in Johannesburg, celebrated for his electrifying figurative language and emotionally charged visual storytelling. Born in Bulawayo, a multicultural city in western Zimbabwe that converges various ethnicities from across Southern Africa. He studied art at Cyrene Mission, an Anglican school playfully dubbed the "artist's temple," established in 1936 by Scottish-born priest Canon Edward Paterson.

Greatjoy's early works comprised landscape paintings inspired by the kopje boulders and thick bushes characteristic of the Cyrenian environment. Keen on honing his motif, he was drawn to the expressive works of Gerard Sekoto and the conceptual prowess of Jenny Saville, two great painters who helped shape his artistic direction. Their combined influence catalyzed his evolution, informing how Greatjoy uniquely communicates his ideas and bridges the gap between visual representation and intangible everyday experiences.

Greatjoy’s style blends expressionistic and representational ideas with figurative drawings while retaining an enthralling tinge of abstraction that frequently lurks in his works. His work starts with light-hearted, experimental sketches that develop into large-scale, detailed works or even an entire series without losing the experimental element that characterizes his work. He also creates mind-piercing forms of portraiture that seek to decipher internal truths and meanings with such lightness of detail.

Greatjoy’s work has earned widespread acclaim, attracting serious collector interest and positioning him as one of Johannesburg’s most influential contemporary artists. His art has been exhibited at major exhibitions and galleries, contributing to a collector base that spans South Africa, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil, Australia, UAE and beyond. His works are included in notable private collections of influential cultural figures such as Ava DuVernay, Trevor Noah, and Rich Fettke, a testament to the universal resonance of his themes and technique. His presence in prestigious corporate collections continues to grow, with acquisitions by institutions such as ABSA Group, Array Studios, Visio Investment Management, Bidvest Bank, Gijima, and the Insurance Institute of South Africa. These placements reflect his standing not only as a Johannesburg cultural force, but as an internationally recognised artistic voice.

Greatjoy’s rise to the global art scene is well documented in his autobiographical art book, "The Path to Greatjoy," a captivating read for art lovers worldwide.

Alongside his artistic career, Greatjoy is the founder of A Night of Greatjoy (ANGJ) a registered nonprofit organisation operating from Johannesburg. ANGJ uses the power of art, creativity, and collaborative performance to uplift communities and support vulnerable children. Through exhibitions, performances, and curated fundraising events, ANGJ channels resources toward child welfare, medical missions, and expanded educational access. The organisation brings together visual artists, musicians, writers, performers, and thought-leaders to produce collaborative works and cultural events that raise awareness for critical social issues. ANGJ embodies a clear and impactful vision: to make creativity a force for healing, empowerment, and transformation, beginning in Johannesburg and extending across Africa.

Today, Greatjoy continues to build an influential legacy from Johannesburg, shaping the contemporary African art landscape with a practice rooted in emotional truth, technical excellence, and the unwavering belief that art can ignite personal and societal change.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

“Metamorphosis”, FOMO Gallery ,Western Cape , South Africa, 2026

“Enigma Dell’Anima,” Tobian Gallery, Florence, Italy, 2022.
"Conversations of a Man," Mmarthouse, Jo'burg, RSA, 2019.
"Somewhere in South Africa", Randburg, 2018
“The Path to Great Joy," Mmarthouse, Jo'burg, RSA, 2018

GROUP SHOWS

Portraits of Yesteryear, Virtual Exhibition, San Francisco 2020
Lucca Art Fair, Piazza del Collegio, Lucca LU, Italy 2018
RMB Turbine Art Fair, Jo’burg, RSA 2018
Talking to Deaf Ears, ABSA Art Gallery, Jo’burg, 2018
Miami Art Context, Jo'burg, RSA, 2018
FNB Art Fair, Sandton City, RSA, 2018

ART COLLABORATIONS

Omens of Gratitude, collaboration with Nduduzo Makhathini & Kitty Petla at Untitled Basement, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2023.

Art Effect, collaboration with WGRUV dance company . Touring art & perfomance project at UJ theatre, Nelson Mandela Theatre & Roodepoort Theatre, South Africa, 2025.

SAFFCA Art Residency, Entabeni Retreat, Cape Town, RSA, 2019.
UJ Arts & Culture (Art Talk), University Of Johannesburg, RSA, 2018.

NOTABLE FIGURES

Ava Durvenay, Untitled, 2020
Trevor Noah, Conversations of a Man II, 2019.
Rich Fettke, Kiss Me Fondly, 2021

SELECTED INSTITUTION

ABSA Group
Array Studios
Visio Investment Management

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The Path to Greatjoy by Ntsikelelo Mzibomvu and Greatjoy Ndlovu
Get your copy of the book from the Amazon Bookstore