About Azael Langa

Azael Langa is a fine artist and sculptor who was born in Johannesburg in 1988 and currently residing and working in Johannesburg, South Africa.

A practitioner of the artistic technique of fumage, Langa uses different types of smoke on canvas or paper to give different kinds of scenarios that take place in his community.

Langa’s work has been exhibited in international art fairs and exhibitions around the world including in Switzerland, the Netherlands, South Africa and the U.S.A. and featured in publications such as the Sunday Times (2019), Art Africa Magazine (2019) and Pretoria News (2011).

Source of inspiration

Langa’s primary inspiration is close to home as he often creates illustrations relating to stories, people and events in his local community as a way of highlighting the importance that these have had in shaping his views and his identity. His work often explores pertinent social issues such as exclusion and exploitation as well as the dualism which exists between the individual and society.

Langa’s works is mostly figurative and he portrays them carrying a home, to show how we always carry our loved ones with where ever we go. The image of a house (four room house) is a symbol of love, warmth, care and comfort, as these are drawn from the home he grew up in. He uses ink to add colour and candle smoke to add life, and to purify and heal. Langa’s work is trying to capture the essence of a spirit.