The Lost Boys
KHULEKANI MKHIZE
Visual Art
Originally Published: 19 December 2025
In The Lost Boys, I confront the cyclical nature of generational trauma and its devastating impact on young males. Inspired by the pervasive issue of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), this powerful artwork sheds light on the complexities of masculinity shaped by environments where anger and pain are perpetuated.
The use of traffic cones, typically symbols of caution and control, represents the developing minds of young boys, still learning and adapting to their surroundings. The red tape enveloping the cones signifies a generation's instinctual response to protect themselves from the world around them.
The black figures in the piece represent the resilience and potential of these young individuals, stripped bare of societal expectations but full of untapped promise. By presenting them in black, I aim to highlight the raw, unbridled potential that lies within, waiting to be nurtured and redirected towards a path of healing and positive growth.
Through The Lost Boys, I challenge the viewer to consider the long-term effects of trauma and the importance of breaking cycles of violence. This thought-provoking artwor is not just a reflection of societal issues but a call to action for change, making it a compelling addition to any collection focused on social commentary, contemporary issues, or the exploration of human identity.
The Creative
KHULEKANI MKHIZE
Khulekani Mkhize is a South African artist from KwaMashu in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). He was raised by a single mother in a village called Barnabas in Umzimkhulu, where he completed his early schooling. As a child, he played with charcoal, drawing lines on the walls of his home, which sparked his interest in art.
In 2010, he joined the Velobala Art Program hosted by the Durban University of Technology (DUT) at the City Campus. After matriculating from Isibonelo High School, he studied Art and Design at Thekwini College in Durban. In 2015, he began his professional art career and became a member of the Amasosha Art Movement, a collective of Durban-based artists that promotes hard work and solidarity among artists.
He exhibited his work for the first time at Atelier Shop 2 in the Umhlabelo group exhibition. In 2019, he joined the K-CAP Art Centre as a Coordinator and Visual Arts Facilitator, where he also worked with Professor Zanele Muholi on Ikhono lase Natal. In 2020, he established a gallery at K-CAP and opened his personal studio space, which he shares with young artists in KwaMashu.
In 2022, one of his works was acquired by the Art Bank of South Africa and featured in Art Times 2022. In 2023, he participated in a residency at the Muholi Art Institute, where he had the opportunity to collaborate with Professor Zanele Muholi on his artworks.