Greatjoy Ndlovu is a full-time Contemporary Artist based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Greatjoy explores the concept of merging motion and emotion. The aim of his work is to convey the inherent connection between physical expressions and emotional cadence. To achieve this, Greatjoy condenses the outward disposition of the body figure—its form and posture—and then distills the likely emotional state of his subject from the very nature of the movements.

In his paintings, Greatjoy animates the concept by synchronizing the body's effusive outer movements with the profound sentiments of one's inner world.

The resulting compositions exude a palpable emotional impetus that powerfully distinguishes itself within the visibly static canvas environment. By suspending body movements in time, Greatjoy seeks to preserve fleeting moments and depict the near-approximate emotional sensations of his painted subjects for future generations.

“Body movement conveys beyond words alone. Frowns, sighs, smiles, drooping shoulders — all change in countenance or body posture occurs almost instinctively, making body language the most candid form of communication that accurately reflects one's thoughts.”

— Greatjoy.

  • Greatjoy Ndlovu (b. 1993) was 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 attracted significant collector interest through highly successful exhibitions at renowned art fairs and galleries, gaining an ever-growing number of faithful collectors worldwide. He continues to enjoy art world prominence within South Africa and recognition of his immense talent across continents. Notable private collections include those of top American investor Rich Fettke, award-winning filmmaker Ava Duvernay, and world-renowned comedian Trevor Noah. Noteworthy corporate collections include ABSA Group, Array Studios, and Visio Investment Management.

    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.

  • SOLO EXHIBITIONS

    “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

  • 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 INSTITUTIONS

    ABSA Group
    Array Studios
    Visio Investment Management

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

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