Leeto /li-e-to /: Journey Beyond Jewellery Art Exhibition at the FADA Gallery

The University of Johannesburg’s Faculty of Art, Design, and Architecture (FADA) Gallery is thrilled to announce “Leeto /li-e-to /: Journey Beyond”. This event will be held at the FADA Gallery on the UJ Bunting Road Campus, opening on 24 July 2024. 

“Leeto /li-e-to /: Journey Beyond” illustrates how eleven UJ Jewellery Alumni have navigated the complex and competitive South African industry over the last decade.   

Thirty years on, our struggling democracy is no longer considered the Rainbow Nation and amidst ongoing recessions and the post-global COVID pandemic malaise, many jewellery businesses in Johannesburg and nationally have faltered. Despite the challenging context, this group of designers have flourished and succeeded at all costs in the heart of the City of Gold.  

Leeto” tells a story of talent, sacrifice, and resilience, reflecting the artists big dreams and journeys beyond their circumstances.  

This exhibition showcases a distinguished collection by eleven conceptual designers   who are alumni of the UJ jewellery department, spanning several years.  

Read more about the featured alumni designers:  

Mia-Mari Hugo – A Johannesburg-based jewellery designer, explores Afrikaner counterculture in contemporary jewellery. Her auto-ethnographic research examines identity within the jewellery industry and personal identity, creating a contemporary body of work that defines her place in the industry. 

Nikiwe Mathebula – Discovered her passion for jewellery at 16 while attending the National School of the Arts. She pursued Jewellery Design and Manufacture at the University of Johannesburg in 2010. After graduating in 2013, she apprenticed at Keith White Designs, learning high-end jewellery manufacturing. From 2013 to 2018, she mentored students for the Thuthuka Jewellery and Product Development Competition, which she had won in 2011. 

Nonhle Maboee – Is a versatile creative. She studied Jewellery Design and Manufacturing at the University of Johannesburg, which required dedication and skill. Despite setbacks, she secured a Thuthuka award bursary for Technical Excellence upon graduating in 2013. 

Noxolo Mseleku – Born in Illovo, KZN, is a young designer known for her unique custom jewellery. Her love for jewellery and its history inspired her brand. Living in Europe for two years sparked her passion for expressing stories through her pieces. 

Mbuso Oscar Zondi - Is a jewellery designer and manufacturer inspired by the hidden meanings in African designs. As a University of Johannesburg student, passionate about African futures and ancient art, he is currently pursuing an Honours degree. His research focuses on the medicinal qualities of jewellery by studying indigenous beads in Zulu jewellery.  

Thato Radebe – Is a 35-year-old jewellery designer and lecturer based in Johannesburg, working at the University of Johannesburg (UJ).  He graduated with a National Diploma in Jewellery Design (2010), and later pursued post-graduate studies including a BTech (2011), BA Hons in Design (2015), and MA in Design (2020). He lectured at Durban University of Technology (2012-2014) and returned to lecture at UJ in 2016.  Thato has won multiple design awards including a Merit Award for Plat Africa (2009) and the Samsung Inspire Design Awards (2014). 

Cailin Ernst (née Els) Is a jewellery designer and educator, who holds a BA Honours in Design from the University of Johannesburg (2015), Her interests include metal surface finishes, alternative materials, and cement and resin casting. Cailin has lectured at the University of Johannesburg’s Jewellery Design Department since 2010, teaching modules such as Jewellery Techniques, Design, CAD, Technology, and Gemmology. 

Maryse Castel is the jewellery designer behind Maryse Castel Jewellery. After working at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, she returned to South Africa with a passion for creating beautiful work and building a business. She studied silversmithing and Small Business Management and earned a Bachelor of Technology in Jewellery Design and Manufacture from the University of Johannesburg in 2009. As a part-time lecturer at the University of Johannesburg, she helps aspiring jewellers navigate the industry. Her business focuses on commissioned work, creating custom designs for clients and developing her own jewellery ranges.

Argyris Papageourgiou  –Argyris Anthony Panagotis Papageorgiou was born in Alberton South Africa. Having completed his Btech in Jewellery Design and Manufacture from University of Johannesburg. Argyris has won multiple industry awards. After opening up a commercial jewellery manufacturing store for ten years. Argyris decided to close the store and to have more fun focusing on high jewellery. The work you see here was made at the Ilias Lalaouning Jewellery Museum Athens Greece. His work is concerned with Movement and Value.

Khanya Mthethwa – Khanya Mthethwa is a multi-award-winning jewellery designer born in Kwa-Zulu Natal, currently working as an academic at the University of Johannesburg. Her notable academic achievements include a Master of Arts in design, as well as certificates in Rough Diamond Evaluation and Diamond Cutting. She is also a PhD candidate in Art History at the University of Johannesburg’s Department of Visual Art. Beyond her academic and lecturing roles, Khanya is the founder and CEO of Changing Facets, a company that creates contemporary, wearable art jewelry inspired by indigenous African cultures. Her work has been exhibited internationally in Croatia, Italy, Athens, Munich and Estonia.

David Ditlhako  – Was raised in Kanye village, Botswana, with an initial ambition to pursue heavy plant engineering. However, his innate creativity led him to jewellery design and manufacturing. From a young age, he showcased his design talent by crafting wire cars and excelling in Design and Technology in school. After a year in general engineering, he shifted to Industrial Design, where his passion flourished. Returning to academia after a decade of professional experience, David now pursues jewellery design, viewing it as an art form that narrates stories and ideas. He plans to venture into souvenir jewellery after completing his studies in Botswana. 

For more information, please contact Mpendulo Ndlovu at mpendulon@uj.ac.za 

About FADA Gallery 

FADA Gallery is an in-house, experimental, vibrant, and transformative creative lab space devoted to stimulating innovative thinking through a host of art and design-based experiences. Constructing knowledge through cutting edge art and design practices in a diverse range of curated exhibitions, events, talks, and new media compliments the FADA teaching and learning experience, including the research and development programme. Bringing advancements in local art, design and architecture developments to students, staff, alumni, and the local art community.