The worlds of digital innovation and fine art have converged at the Tatham Art Gallery in Pietermaritzburg, where The Vega School at Emeris uMhlanga lecturer Kuleza Phiri is presenting his debut exhibition, inviting visitors to reimagine what contemporary art can be.
The Experience Design and Game Design and Development lecturer is exhibiting Fragments of a Journey alongside a group of fellow creatives until 3 August. The collection showcases intricately crafted 3D-printed character designs, offering a fresh perspective on artistic expression while challenging conventional ideas of what belongs within gallery walls.
For Phiri, the exhibition marks a significant personal and professional milestone.
The opportunity arose through his long-time friend and collaborator, artist, teacher and musician Malwande Bhengu, who had admired photographs of Phiri’s character designs created using The Vega School at Eduvos uMhlanga’s 3D printer and encouraged him to exhibit the collection.
“I thought it was a great chance to mix the traditional with the new because 3D printing hasn’t been fully accepted in the art space, but it’s slowly getting there,” said Phiri.
Far more than a display of technical precision, the exhibition chronicles years of experimentation, observation and artistic growth. Many of the sculptures draw inspiration from his own family, who unknowingly became the foundation of his creative exploration.
“My family has always been my test subjects. I’d make strange requests like: ‘Let me see your inner earlobe’ or ‘I want to see how light reacts to your skin’. It’s been a fragmented journey of experimenting to see what works and what doesn’t. My family have been part of that journey and made me who I am,” he explained.
As the father of three-year-old Vuyolwethu, Phiri also views the exhibition as part of the legacy he hopes to leave behind, creating work that his son and future generations can connect with.
Beyond celebrating his own artistic journey, he hopes the exhibition will spark broader conversations about the place of digital media within the contemporary art landscape.
“I’d love for people to rethink how we see art and to make it more relevant to the digital age. Young people spend so much time experiencing creativity through screens. Maybe if galleries embraced more digital work and communities became more involved, we’d reconnect with the physical experience of art,” he said.
Phiri’s fascination with creative storytelling began long before he entered the classroom. Inspired by his older brother, Chisomo, an artist and architect, he spent his childhood sketching original characters from memory, while family gaming sessions nurtured an enduring passion for immersive narratives. Those early influences ultimately shaped a career spanning game design, animation and experience design.
Since joining The Vega School at Eduvos uMhlanga in September 2023, he has remained committed to preparing students for an ever-evolving creative industry. His teaching philosophy extends beyond technical mastery, placing equal emphasis on collaboration, authenticity and building portfolios that reflect each student’s unique creative identity.
“I tell my students that you can’t do everything by yourself. Success isn’t only about skill; it’s about learning to collaborate and navigate relationships. I also help them build portfolios that stand out by encouraging them to take on projects that show who they are,” he said.
Although his ambitions have evolved over time, his passion for creating remains unwavering.
“When I was younger, I wanted to be the best. Now I’m driven by creating things that my son and other children would love and want to be part of.”
For aspiring experience designers and game developers, his message is one of courage and curiosity.
“Try everything and fail everything. There’s a beauty in learning through failure. Don’t be afraid and don’t wait for someone to teach you how to do something,” he concluded.
