Game Design Lecturer Brings Digital Art To The Gallery

An exhibition of his 3D character designs at the Tatham Art Gallery in Pietermaritzburg is giving Kuleza Phiri (Experience Design and Game Design and Development Lecturer at The Vega School at Emeris uMhlanga) the opportunity to showcase the creative practice that inspires his teaching.

Phiri is exhibiting Fragments of a Journey with a group of friends until 3 August. This is the first time he is exhibiting his work. The opportunity came through his long-time friend and collaborator artist, teacher and musician Malwande Bhengu, whom he met while studying at the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Pietermaritzburg campus.

"Malwande had seen pictures I'd posted of my character designs, which I'd printed using The Vega School at Emeris uMhlanga’s 3D printer, and asked if I'd like to exhibit some of my work," recalled Phiri. "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".

For Phiri, the exhibition is also deeply personal.

Many of the pieces were inspired by his family, who unknowingly became part of his creative process while he developed his skills as a designer.

"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”.

As a father, he also hopes the exhibition becomes part of the legacy he leaves for his three year old son Vuyolwethu.

Beyond showcasing his work, Phiri hopes the exhibition will encourage people to see digital art differently.

"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”, added Phiri.

Phiri's creative journey began long before he entered a lecture room. Inspired by his older brother Chisomo, an artist and architect, he developed a love for drawing original characters from memory. At the same time, family gaming weekends sparked an interest in interactive storytelling that eventually led him into game design, animation and experience design.

Today, those experiences continue to shape the way he teaches. He joined The Vega School at Emeris uMhlanga as a lecturer in September 2023.

"I've stayed in teaching because you're forever learning. Students keep you on your toes with their ideas and questions, and the industry is constantly changing. Watching students grow in confidence from first year to third year is one of the most rewarding parts of my job”.

His experience as a practising creative also helps prepare students for the realities of the industry.

"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”.

While his motivation has changed over the years, his passion for creating remains.

"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 anyone considering a career in experience design or game design and development, his advice is simple: "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” concluded Phiri.