Siphesihle Gift Masondo

As a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Art degree from Rhodes University, I am excited to apply my skills and passion for art in a professional setting. With a major in painting and sculpture, I have honed my practical art skills and developed a strong foundation in creating visually captivating works. My artistic journey has allowed me to explore various mediums, techniques, and styles, with a particular focus on mixed media. This versatility enables me to bring a unique and innovative approach to my artwork. During my studies, I delved into the realm of post-modern art and design, expanding my knowledge and understanding of contemporary art movements. This exposure has shaped my artistic perspective and instilled in me a deep appreciation for pushing boundaries and challenging traditional norms. Additionally, my research interests in institutional culture and historical landmarks have provided me with a critical lens through which I analyze and interpret art within its sociopolitical context. I am confident that my skills, knowledge, and passion for art make me a strong candidate for the the position. I possess a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. I am eager to contribute my creativity and artistic expertise to your organization and make a meaningful impact. Thank you for considering my application. I have attached my resume for your review, which provides further details on my education, skills, and experiences. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my qualifications align with your organization's goals and how I can contribute to its success. I look forward to the possibility of joining your team and contributing to the vibrant environment at your company. Thank you for your time and consideration.

SKILLS • Art Administration • Curatorial Projects • Art Consulting • Adobe Suite • Art Design 

JUNE 2020 & SEPTEMBER 2021 

SHOP STEWARD, ACE MICA I worked as shop steward for some time in the years 2020 and 2021. I was under the management of Lawrence James and I had the responsibility of overseeing the tools and plumbing sections. I facilitated in their overall arrangement, stock taking and making orders. I also foresaw that the customers had a sales representative to facilitate their buying needs. 

Reference: Lawrence James - Store Manager 

JUNE 2017 & 2019 

GALLERY ASSISTANT, NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL - GRAHAMSTOWN During the 2017 and 2019 arts festivals I worked as a gallery assistant. My job was short-term requiring me to be part of setting up up exhibition spaces for various artists. I was assigned to work at the Mmapula Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi Exhibition as well as Skhumbuzo Makandula’s exhibitions for the years respectively. As a gallery assistant, I was responsible for overseeing the gallery space, ensuring that the artworks were displayed properly and creating an inviting atmosphere for visitors. I also had the opportunity to engage with visitors, providing them with insight into the artist's works and answering any questions they had. Additionally, I had the privilege of tending to the artist's specific needs during walkabouts and ensuring that their vision was effectively communicated to visitors. Overall, my experience as a gallery assistant during the 2017 and 2019 arts festivals allowed me to develop a deep appreciation for the art world and the importance of creating immersive and engaging exhibition spaces. I thoroughly enjoyed working alongside talented artists and being able to share their works with visitors, fostering a greater appreciation for art and culture. 

Reference: Nicci Spalding – Technical Director

2018 

ENTERTAINMENT REPRESENTATIVE, GUY BUTLER RESIDENCE– RHODES UNIVERSITY I served as the esteemed Entertainment Representative of Guy Butler Residence in 2018, taking charge of organizing captivating social events within the residence and fostering connections with other residences in the university. These events, ranging from lively braais to engaging games and entertaining movie nights, were carefully crafted to fulfil the diverse social needs of our residents. My unwavering dedication to inclusivity ensured that every member of the residence felt included, and their individual needs were met. By curating an all-round inclusive portfolio, I ensured that the social fabric of the residence remained vibrant and conducive to fostering a sense of belonging for everyone. 

Reference: Dr Jonathan Davy – House Warden 

2001 - 2007 

PRIMARY EDUCATION, NARDINI CONVENT SCHOOL - 

Sporting House Captain (swimming) 2007 - School monitor 2007 

2008 - 2012 

SECONDARY EDUCATION, TREVERTON COLLEGE 

Leadership - Matric Farewell Committee 2011 - SCA committee 2011 -2012 - School Prefect 2012 - Hostel Prefect 2012 - Ground and Buildings Portfolio (Co-chair) 2012 

Sporting - Water-Polo Team 2012  - 2nd Basketball Team 2012 - 2 nd Rugby Team 2012 - 3 rd Soccer Team 2012 

Outdoor pursuits (Awards) - Canoeing 2012 - Polar Bear 2012 - Drakensberg 2010 - Summit 2010 - Traverse 2010 - Solitaire 2008 - Solitaire instructor 2010 

Other achievements - Basketball Marathon U16 South African record 2010 - Treverton College Chess Champion 2011 - Practical Art Prize 2012 

2022 BACHELOR OF FINE ART, RHODES UNIVERSITY;

 BFA painting and sculpture major in Studio Practice, and Art History and Visual Culture theory 2015 - 2022. Studied from 2015 till mid 2018 and took a break before completing my studies in 2022. I specialise in Sculpture and Painting. My work is mixed-media based, also incorporating Photography and Graphic Arts.

ACTIVITIES

 Photography Society, Chess Club and Canoeing club. Guy Butler Residence: Entertainment Representative. I was a part of the health suite which ensures I am physically fit and agile. I have as well in particular, attended a ceramics workshop by the company ASH Ceramics in 2019 -hosted by the sculpture department at Rhodes.

In addition, I have as well been an active member of the Student Initiative Portfolio project at Rhodes university. This serves to equip students with the knowledge of how to conduct and implement projects that are conceptualized by the student. With this comes an ability to think creatively, projects are conducted at various scales - be they be publicly engaged, community outreach and in institutional spaces. With these we had to provide an in-depth report of our various projects in the form of a comprehensive portfolio. We were faced with challenges of how to deal with ethics around our practices as well as being innovative and enginuitive.