“Umphako” is a solo exhibition by current resident Sibusiso Bheka, celebrated for his evocative, cinematic images of life in Thokoza, South Africa. Now turning his lens on Lisbon, Bheka explores the city with fresh curiosity and a storyteller’s depth. This exhibition offers an intimate look at his early impressions of Lisbon through photography. On view from May 29 to June 5, Umphako is open to visitors by appointment only.

La Junqueira Lisbon is an artist residency in Belém, fostering artistic creation, research, and exchange. It supports international artists and curators in exploring Lisbon’s cultural, historical, and architectural landscape.

Sibusiso Bheka (b. 1997, Katlehong, South Africa) is a photographer whose work reflects the layered realities of life in Thokoza, where he lives and works. Introduced to photography through the Of Soul and Joy Project in 2012, he later earned a degree from the Vaal University of Technology. Bheka’s acclaimed series Stop Nonsense has been exhibited internationally, and he’s been shortlisted for several major awards. He currently serves as Project Assistant for Of Soul and Joy and is represented by Afronova Gallery.

Afronova Gallery, based in Johannesburg, was founded by Emilie Demon and Henri Vergon as a platform for contemporary African art rooted in close collaboration and long-term relationships with artists. Now led by Demon, the gallery has played a key role in post-Apartheid cultural discourse, championing African voices globally while maintaining an artist-first philosophy that resists trends and prioritizes integrity, dialogue, and thoughtful curation.

Source: La Junqueira