Description
BIOGRAPHY OF FRANZ PHOOKO
Frans Lucky Pheeha Phooko was born in Soweto but grew up in Matox Botlokwa in the Limpopo Province. From a young age Phooko expressed himself artistically and was inspired by his late grandfather who was a sculptor Phooko studied Art and Design at Capricorn TVET College but had to suspend his studies due to financial difficulties in 2008. Phooko then decided to become a full-time artist. He commenced his career by participating in a number of group exhibitions, amongst others the Sasol New Signatures competition and the ABSA l’ Atelier in 2010.
Phooko explored different methods of artistic expression by participating in mural paintings all around Limpopo province, funded by Polokwane Municipality, including the 2010 World Cup tournament. In 2013, he was one of three South African muralists to participate in the FIRST INTERNATIONAL MURAL ENCOUNTER at Greater Tzaneen municipality. In 2015 he participated at Mponegele Orphanage centre Murals on Mandela Day commissioned by Play your Part. In 2016 and 2017, he participated in the SADEC mural art program at Nwametwa heritage village in Tzaneen. In 2018 Phooko was selected to create portraits for the 100 year centenary of Tata Nelson Mandela and MAMA Albertina Sisulu by the Department of Sport, Art and Culture.
Besides his interest in painting murals and changing the community Phooko illustrated four children’s books from Room to Read from 2011 – 2013. In 2015 he illustrated a Swahili children’s book from the South African Institute for Distance Education (SAIDE).
