William Kentridge

William Kentridge (b. 1955) is a South African artist celebrated internationally for his animated films, charcoal drawings, prints, theatre productions, and immersive installations. His work reflects the political and social complexities of South Africa, combining historical narrative, personal memory, and philosophical inquiry. Known for his signature stop-motion animations made by repeatedly drawing and erasing charcoal on paper, Kentridge’s films explore themes of apartheid, migration, industrialization, and the fragility of truth.

Kentridge studied politics and African studies before training in theatre, and these influences permeate his practice: his work is both visually poetic and politically incisive. Operas he has directed—including productions for the Metropolitan Opera—reveal his mastery of staging and visual dramaturgy. His ongoing *Drawings for Projection* series remains a landmark in contemporary animation.

He has exhibited at Documenta, the Venice Biennale, MoMA, Tate Modern, and leading museums worldwide. His works feature in major international collections, including MoMA, Tate, and the Art Institute of Chicago. Kentridge’s multidisciplinary practice reshapes how drawing can function—as narrative, as performance, and as a means of confronting history.