Obakeng Masilo

Obakeng Masilo was born in Parktown, Johannesburg, but relocated to Germiston, Leondale at a young age with his family. Masilo's first introduction to art came from his frequent trips with his mother to a Pretoria embroidery studio in Leondale. His creative growth was significantly influenced by these early encounters, which ultimately led him to pursue a career in the arts. Later on, Masilo refined his artistic abilities at Artist Proof Studio, where he furthered his awareness of art as a potent means of communication.

A significant event in his career came when he was invited to compete in the CCAC Student Competition in 2023. His winning entry offered both validation and motivation as he continues to build his career in the South African art scene. His chosen piece, Reformation, uses symbolic imagery to examine socio-economic classism. Masilo depicts the intermediate and lower classes in this piece with balloon-headed individuals and the wealthy upper class with cows. The balloon figures represent the struggles and difficulties encountered by those who are economically disadvantaged, while the cow, a traditional emblem of affluence, emphasises the continuation of class hierarchies. Through these metaphors, Masilo critiques the stark economic divides in contemporary South Africa, reflecting on their historical origins and enduring impact.

Masilo generally tries to utilise his art to address the question, "Where do I come from?" with the premise that knowing one's past is the only way to know one's future. This method of examination has inspired him to research South Africa's history to determine the direction the country should go in after profound social and economic division.