Self-taught visual artist Nano Le Face (Ntwanano Kutlo Shilubana) recently completed a month-long residency at GIRLS GALLERY, the project space started by duo Keely Shinners and Domnique Cheminais in Cape Town's city centre in 2025 – a space that aims to produce exhibitions that are surprising and inventive, while supporting emerging artists and giving established artists room to experiment.

Nano was the gallery’s first-ever artist-in-residence, which saw him transform the space into his very own artist studio. What now follows is an exhibition titled THIS PARTY SUCKS WITHOUT YOU, showcasing the works produced during the residency.

Working primarily in mixed media on paper, Nano's creations borrow freely from popular culture, editorial photography, and luxury brand advertisements. His imagery is flattened into vivid lines and striking colour palettes, presenting scenes that seem like bite-sized snippets from a satirical cartoon. Through a combination of coloured pencils and wax crayons, Nano crafts playful yet deeply critical works that draw viewers into a world of glamour and melodrama.

Nano studied Film Arts at the Open Window Institute in Pretoria and then at AFDA in Johannesburg, before committing entirely to fine art. His artistic practice blossomed during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period that prompted individuals to observe one another through screens, turning their attention inward. Initially gaining traction on Instagram, Nano soon developed a dedicated base of collectors and admirers.

His first solo exhibition, Honey, I'm Not Doing So Well, opened at Southern Guild Cape Town in October 2023 following a two-month residency at the GUILD Residency. Nano’s distinctive voice and artistic style ensure that his works are not only visually captivating but also intellectually stimulating, providing a fresh perspective on the complexities of modern life.

THIS PARTY SUCKS WITHOUT YOU opens on Saturday 18 July at GIRLS GALLERY between 6 and 8pm.

Coming up…
Nano and Southern Guild will collaborate again for the U-Haul Art Fair, set to take place in September during the Armory Show New York. Watch this space!