The Truth about our Journey exhibition catalogue

excellence through possibilty

THE

TRUTH ABOUT OUR JOURNEY

An exhibition by Jan Tshikhuthula Phillip Mabote Lebohang Sithole

CATALOGUE

THE

TRUTH ABOUT OUR JOURNEY

'The Truth about our Journey' suggests an ending and reection on the past. In a sense, this exhibition marks a 'coming of age' for Mabote, Tshikhuthula and Sithole who for the past four to ve years have explored through their work where they come from, who they are and who they are becoming. For the artists the process of creating images (and prints in particular) has been a transformative and cathartic experience. A central thread that runs through their life stories is the signicance and spiritual presence of a grandparent as moral mentor represented in different ways for each artist.

For Mabote, the eagle has transformed and become faceted and integrated into pattern. In Sithole's work the gentle and unobtrusive feather has disappeared and for Tshikhuthula, we have been brought up close to a series of indigenous trees that ll the format. The water tanks and pipes are disappearing and being replaced by new man made elements.

This exhibition is point of departure for all three artists who studied printmaking at the Artist Proof Studio at different times between 2008 and 2012. In 2016, between August and November they shared a studio to each develop a new body of artwork toward this group show. Artist Proof Studio is extremely proud to showcase this new body of work with the Julie Miller Investment Gallery.

JAN

PHILLIP

LEBOHANG

Artist Biography

B

Jan Tshikhuthula

orn in 1983 in Tzaneen, South Africa. From 2005 - 2009 Tshikhuthula studied at the Matongoni Art Academy. On recommendation of his mentor Avhashoni Manganye he came to Artist Proof Studio (APS) to sharpen his skills in printmaking. He chose to stay in Johannesburg and obtained his Professional Printmaking certicate from APS in 2010 and has been working as an independent artist since then.

He has had a number of group shows at Lizamore & Associates Gallery and participated in Art Fairs including the Johannesburg Art Fair and Turbine Art Fair in 2016 through Lizamore and Artist Proof Studio.

Artist Statement: The story of my family is a typical South African tale of troubled migrant labour and geography. My father moved from Venda to Tzaneen for work when I was born. I moved from Tzaneen to Venda and then to Johannesburg for work (as an artist).

My father passed away in 2015. In this body of work I use various objects to depict my father's 'passion'. He was the best plumber in our community and attended to numerous people not only for an income but because he was passionate about his job and the services he provided to his neighbours. He often went beyond the call of duty.

I have called this body of artwork, 'Facing Reality”. In many ways the water tanks and pipes used as metaphors in previous works have become extremely important for survival during this time of drought. In many ways nature is facing reality during these times. Since my father has passed, I have grown. My work is very much about balancing what I see versus memory and living in the present moment. In my new work the tanks are disappearing which depicts personal change and self-reliance.

‘

In this body of work I use various objects to depict my father's 'passion'.

‘

Jan Tshikhuthula Muta(II) Linocut 70X50cm 2017 R1 200.00 Incl.VAT

Jan Tshikhuthula U Swikelela Linocut 70x50cm 2017 R2 000.00 Incl.VAT

Jan Tshikhuthula Thinandzani II Linocut 50x35cm 2016 R1 200.00 Incl.VAT

Jan Tshikhuthula Ndi thoni a (VII) Linocut 50x70cm 2017 R2 000.00 Incl.VAT

Jan Tshikhuthula U Isa Phanda Nga Ha Vutshilo Linocut 115x80cm 2012 R6 684.00 incl.VAT

Jan Tshikhuthula Ndi thoni a (VIII) Linocut 50x70cm 2017 R2 000.00 Incl.VAT

Jan Tshikhuthula Thinadzina Linocut 63x93.5cm 2017 R3 000.00 Incl.VAT

Jan Tshikhuthula Muyanale Linocut 35x89cm 2017 R2 000.00 Incl.VAT

Jan Tshikhuthula U Vhuleya(II) Linocut 35.5x82.5cm 2017 R2 000.00 Incl.VAT

Artist Biography

P

hillip Mabote was born in Qwa-Qwa, Eastern Free State, South Africa in 1982. Mabote works predominantly in the medium of printmaking, specialising in linocut. He studied Professional Printmaking at Artist Proof Studio (2007 – 2009). As a student Mabote participated in a number of community based programmes which led him to be a facilitator for four years teaching children art for the Artists in Ark's programme at APS before deciding to be a full-time artist. He had a solo show at Candice Berman Gallery (Hunting For Lost Memories) in 2016 and has participated in group shows including Phillip Mabote Lizamore and Associates (The Forgotten) in 2016, Gordon Institute of Business Science (S.A Fine Art Print Fair) in 2015 and the Industrial Development Corporation in 2015. He is represented in the collections of ARUP (Melrose Arch Johannesburg), Bus Rapid Transit Stations (Johannesburg) and Sonke Gender Justice Network (Johannesburg). He currently lives and works in Protea Glen, Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Artist Statement In my previous works I used images of eagles, compasses, card patterns and silhouette gures carved on big linocut plates. My work is motivated and driven by an uncertain family background and a long-term personal search, trying to nd 'her'. Often this raised more questions and resolution was limited.

In this body of work I have moved to a smaller scaled linocut plate attempting to return to a more comparable size of a playing card, ipping and using the back of the card and carving my images from there. I have returned to thinking back to the values my grandmother taught me - to forgive and forget and bring into focus my future.

My titles serve as bits of poetry to a complete a story and share what I think about. I believe the circumstances I nd myself in are shared with many individuals.

‘

My work is motivated and driven by an uncertain family background and a long-term personal search, trying to nd 'her'.

‘

Phillip Mabote Beliefs Have The Power Linocut 50x35cm 2016 R1200.00 Incl. VAT

Phillip Mabote Diary Of A Queen Linocut 100x57.5cm 2016 R3 500.00 Incl.VAT

Phillip Mabote The Last Honour Linocut 70x65.5cm 2016 R3 500.00 Incl.VAT

Phillip Mabote Chasing The Sunset Linocut 70x50cm 2016 R3 000.00 Incl.VAT

Phillip Mabote

Dream Dancing Linocut 50x35cm 2016 R1 200.00 Incl.VAT

Phillip Mabote Untold Poetry (Rated) Linocut 70x82cm 2016 R3 500.00 Incl.VAT

Phillip Mabote See What I See Linocut 100x70cm 2016 R3 000.00 Incl.VAT

Phillip Mabote The Logical Poem Linocut 50x35cm 2016 R1 200.00 Incl.VAT

Phillip Mabote Unforge able Memories Linocut 70x50cm 2016 R3 000.00 Incl.VAT

Phillip Mabote

Hope of my Journey Linocut 50x35cm 2016 R1 200.00 Incl.VAT

Phillip Mabote Hope Sees The Invisible Linocut 50x35cm 2016 R1 200.00 Incl.VAT

Phillip Mabote Index of Mind Linocut 50x35cm 2016 R1 200.00 Incl.VAT

Phillip Mabote Mapping My Memories Linocut 70x50cm 2016 R3 000.00 Incl.VAT

Phillip Mabote Secrets of the Dreams Linocut 72x66,5cm 2016 R3 000.00 Incl.VAT

Phillip Mabote Unchained Dream Linocut 70x50cm 2016 R2 800.00 Incl.VAT

Phillip Mabote Sense of Hearing Linocut 50x35cm 2016 R1 200.00 Incl.VAT

Phillip Mabote Strangers in the Cards Linocut 50x35cm 2016 R3 000.00 Incl.VAT

Artist Biography

L

ebohang Sithole was born in Natal Spruit, East Rand (Palm Bridge) Gauteng,wherehe currently lives. Sithole works with a wide range of selective mediums, soft pastel, acrylics, charcoal, drypoint, monoprints, and 'pancake'. He specialises in combining drypoint, monoprint and pancake to develop unique prints. Sithole rst engaged with the arts in both Primary and Secondary school and developed from there. He studied Professional Printmaking at Artist Proof Studio (2009 - 2013). In 2016 he Lebohang Sithole had his rst solo show at Halifax Art titled Intathakusa (Before the sun rises).

Artist Statement I explore two stories in my artworks that both form a signicant part to who I am.

I was named after my grandfather who was called Mfana Enoch Sithole. I am told that his occupation was a musician and a prophet. Ironically I was born the same day he died. Most things that my grandfather did during his lifetime is closely paralleled to the things that I do in my life.

The inspiration for my work is the journey travelled by my grandfather who was the lead singer and organist for the Amajembe Jazz Band.

I connect me and my grandfather and believe that a person can inherit a 'gene' from a family member and be recognized as that person. When I visit my grandfather's house I get the feeling I have lived there, when I touch his instruments, I feel I have played them, when I look at his photograph, I see myself. Looking at my grandfather's strength and belief in what he was, has encouraged me a lot as an artist. My work is dedicated to Him.

‘

The inspiration for my work is the journey travelled by my grandfather.

‘

Lebohang Sithole Dream Drypoint and Monotype 50x35cm 2016 R1 600.00 Incl.VAT

Lebohang Sithole Players Drypoint, Monotype and hand colouring 50x35cm 2016 R1 600.00 Incl.VAT

Lebohang Sithole I am Falling Drypoint and Monotype 50x35cm 2016 R1 600.00 Incl.VAT

Lebohang Sithole Skip In Drypoint and Monotype 50x35cm 2016 R1 600.00 Incl.VAT

Lebohang Sithole Two of Us Drypoint, Monotype and hand colouring 50x35cm 2016 R1 600.00 Incl.VAT

Lebohang Sithole Happy People Drypoint and Monotype 50x35cm 2016 R1 600.00 Incl.VAT

Lebohang Sithole Thousand Kisses Drypoint and Monotype 40x35cm 2016 R1 600.00 Incl.VAT

Lebohang Sithole I am Young, I Need My Wealth Drypoint and Monotype 50x35cm 2016 R1 600.00 Incl.VAT

Lebohang Sithole Street Music Drypoint and Monotype Size: 199x98cm 2017 R9 000. 00 Incl.VAT

Lebohang Sithole Ntombi Yo Saseka Ya Mutsonga Drypoint, Monotype and hand colouring 70x89xm 2016 R3 000.00 Incl.VAT

Lebohang Sithole Red Dress Drypoint, Monotype and hand colouring 71x89,5cm 2016 R3 000.00 Incl.VAT

Lebohang Sithole Ndzilo Drypoint, Monotype and hand colouring 60,2x85,2cm 2016 R3 000.00 Incl. VAT

Lebohang Sithole I am happy Drypoint and Monotype 98x199cm 2017 R9 000.00 Incl.VAT

Lebohang Sithole Just the Two of Us Drypoint and Monotype 98x199cm 2017 R9 000.00 Incl.VAT

THE

TRUTH ABOUT OUR JOURNEY

Artist Proof Studio

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@ArtistProofJHB

www.artistproofstudio.co.za

Artist Proof Studio