Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Kemang Wa Lehulere emerged as a significant voice in contemporary art through his engagement with the socio-political history of his home country. He is a founding member of the Gugulective, an artist-led collective based in Cape Town, and has developed a practice that often bridges the gap between personal narrative and collective historical trauma.

His work frequently utilizes materials such as school desks, chalkboards, and salvaged architectural elements, which serve as metaphors for the educational and social structures of the past. By integrating performance and video, he creates layered installations that interrogate how history is recorded and remembered within the public consciousness.

Wa Lehulere has received international recognition for his contributions to contemporary discourse, including being the recipient of the Deutsche Bank Artist of the Year award. His work continues to be featured in major global art fairs and institutional exhibitions, reflecting his ongoing influence in the international contemporary art circuit.