Inga Lokwe
Johannesburg, South Africa

I am Inga Lokwe, a professional glass artist and sculptor from South Africa who was born in Johannesburg however. With an Honors qualification in Fine Arts specializing in glass, I am currently pursuing my master’s degree at Tshwane University of Technology. My artistic practice is deeply rooted in my culture, Xhosa heritage, and the transformative journey of self-expression.

My upbringing on a farm in the Eastern Cape instilled in me a profound connection to the natural world, which informs the themes and textures in my work. I am particularly drawn to the fluidity and resilience of glass as a medium, using it to explore intersections of identity, heritage, and personal experience. My pieces often reflect the nuanced realities of being a masculine-presenting woman within the broader cultural and societal contexts of South Africa.

At present, my work is particularly shaped by the grieving process following the loss of my mother,  as I delve into how love, loss, and resilience manifest within my artistic narrative. I strive to create work that bridges the personal and universal, offering reflections on strength, belonging, and the complexity of the human experience. Through my art, I celebrate my roots while navigating the evolving landscapes of identity and selfhood.