Mogau Keana is a South African storyboard artist, illustrator and animator. He started pursuing art when he was in primary school and continued into university. He studied Multimedia at UJ Faculty of Art Design and Architecture (FADA) where he majored in Video and Animation. Right after that, he taught digital art classes for about a year.

In 2019, Mogau illustrated the children’s book, Yes Yanga! by Refiloe Moahloi. Later that year, he exhibited at the South African Book Fair.

Mogau’s art is characterized by 2 distinct styles. One features angular lines and calm colours and the other, a painterly style that uses hard lines to highlight important features while maintaining a brushstroke aesthetic. Generally, Mogau’s art is soothing.

Mogau Kekana’s soothing art often depicts relatable characters in mundane situations being themselves. From a man grabbing a beer to a woman selling in a market to waiting for a bus with a parent, Mogau brings reality to life through gorgeous, contrasting colors.

I want my work to reflect my experiences as an African youth based on the southern parts of this continent residing in Hillbrow. 

Mogau Kekana via Creative Nestlings

Mogau is part of the Creative Nestlings team along with Noma Amadi working on a series of mini-comics to stop disinformation in the wake of COVID-19.

Go on an adventure with Mogau’s art.

Enjoy.

Bonus Art of Mogau Kekana

We can’t enough of Mogau’s unique style so we added some more. ?

See more of Mogau Kekana’s work on Instagram, Behance, Artstation and Pinterest.

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Bahari Blue is Squid Mag’s Kadi Yao Tay and Kofi Sydney Asare’s and illustrator Bolaji “Art Nerd X” Olaloye’s scrapbook of favourite African (including the diaspora sometimes) artists they love, are inspired by and believe the whole world needs to know about.

So far we’ve featured Alfred Achiampong, Venus Bambisa, Malcolm Wopé, Simangaliso Sibaya, Kofi Ofosu, Ifesinachi Orjiekwe, Kudzai Ngundu, Salim Busuru, Rodney Tawanda Ngundu, Juni Ba, Poka Arts, Natasha Nayo, Hanson Akattti, Bertil Svanekiaer, Collyde Prime, Nils Britwum, Hélio Januário and Mika Hirwa. See all the Bahari Blue features here.

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