Lutando Lupuwana lived with his parents in the Bo-Kaap in Cape Town until 1962 when African families were moved out of mixed race areas into the townships. This severely disadvantaged his father, who was a tailor. Believing that the township schools were too disruptive, his parents sent him to schools in the Transkei. Lutando Lupuwana attended Mzundisweni High School, where he completed matric. After working as a clerk ( Groote Schuur Hospital 1974-76) and a labourer (Dura/LTA Construction 1976-79) for seven years, he enrolled at the University of Fort Hare.

Below is a quote from Quote from Art of the South African Townships by Gavin Young, published in 1988 by Thames & Hudson, describing Lutando’s dry-point etching work.

“densely constructed and the viewer has to search for recognisable elements with which to reconstruct the myths and legends of Africa. Lupuwana admires the meticulous work of the Renaissance artist and believes arts role is to make knowledge visible.”

1986
Completed an Advanced Diploma in Printmaking at Michaelis School of Fine Art U.C.T.
1981-5
Attended the Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town. He graduated with a B.A. (Fine Art) with Printmaking as a Major.
1979
Lupuwana enrolled at Fort Hare University and completed his first year in Drawing, Graphic Design, Painting, History of Art, practical English and Anthropology.

CREDITS AT UCT
1985
Won Merit Certificate for Student Exhibition in New York.
1984
Won the Michaelis Prize for best work
1982
Won the Solly Cohen Prize for the most promising Student.

EXHIBITIONS

2016
Impressions, group exhibition at The Cape Gallery

2014
Telling our story; group exhibition at The Cape Gallery

2012
Siyakubona, group exhibition at The Cape Gallery

2005
Participated in the group exhibition “Encompass” at the Cape Gallery
2004
Renaissance Printmakers Exhibition: a collaboration between the Community Arts Workshop, Truworths, Hardground Printmakers, Sanlam, BASA HELD AT The Cape Gallery
1996
Mitchell’s Plain Cape Town
1993
The Waterfront, Cape Town
1989
Association of Arts (Cape Town, group exhibition)
1987
Grahamstown
1986
Community Arts Project, Cape Town
Uluntu Centre, Cape Town
1985
Germany
1985
New York student Exhibition

OTHER ACTIVITIES
2003
IZIKO Museum (Gardens) directed by Vivan Carelse engaged Lutando to facilitate a lino-cutting workshop in the Annex Gallery. The extremely successful workshop was for teachers and covered a period of 20 hours over three weeks
Lupuwana also partook in a screen-printing international workshop at Caversham Press in the Natal Midlands. The idea of that workshop was to exchange experiences and ideas through dialogue, “to encourage ongoing dialogue and creative interaction between Southern African Artists and those from other countries and continents.”
Since May 2003 he has held two workshops in Khayelitsha Media Works, an offshoot project works in collaboration with CAP.
2002
Ran a part time workshop at Uxolo High School in Khayalitsha.
2001
Worked part time for Community Arts Projects & Truworths facilitating Community workshops.
1997-2000
Held the position of silkscreen instructor, Youth Counsellor and music coach for the Streets Community Development.
Also worked on a group project involving his learners in collaboration with the District Six Museum in Cape Town.
1991-1994
Office Administrator, Media Co-ordinator, Graphic Design and Illustrator for Phambili Women’s Organisation in Observatory
1991-1992
Art Teacher and Music Coach at COBERT (Council for black Education & Research Trust.)
1989-91
Graphic design and media co-ordinator at the CO-OP at Black Craft Centre in Phillipi.
1988
Temporary Art & History Teacher at Gugulethu Comprehensive.
1987
Taught night classes in English at Luhlaza High School.
Part time art facilitator at the South African National Gallery.
1985,87-88
He ran informal Art Classes in the Township as part of The Community Arts Project Out Reach Programme as Art Teacher & Media Section Coordinator teaching silk screening and banner printing to Trade Unions and community organizations.