Abe Mathabe
| Artist Name: | Abe Mathabe |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Year of birth: | 1959 |
| Artist information: | Abe Mathabe (b. 1959, Pimville, Soweto) is a printmaker and draughtsman celebrated for his technical precision and works on paper. His creative journey began in childhood with limited materials at hand, he made toys from clay, sticks, and paper, early expressions of his artistry. A pivotal moment came in primary school when a teacher, impressed by his drawing skills, commissioned one of his works for 20 cents. This small but significant transaction marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment to art. Trained under influential artist Durant Sihlali at the Entokwezweni Community Centre in the early 1980s, Mathabe further developed his skills through the Johannesburg Art Foundation and a Nedbank-sponsored graphic design programme. His printmaking practice was solidified during his time at Artist Proof Studio between 1994 and 1996, where he became a professional practitioner of the medium. Mathabe's work spans delicate drypoint prints to intricate ballpoint pen drawings, often rooted in the landscapes and daily life of South Africa and Botswana. His scenes carry a quiet attention to detail that reflect an observational sensitivity, his work bridges classical influence with distinctly local narratives. Sources: |
