Kutlo Mabua

Lives and works in Mahalapye, Botswana

Artist statement

Kutlo Mabua is a Motswana artist on a journey to discover and interrogate “The Self” with the aim to further understand its displacement and disruption, and how it brings a sense of belonging amongst the singular and collective. He is of the opinion that everyday human interactions, bonds, and conversations even those thought to be insignificant -have the most momentous effect on the course of our lives. Using Introspection and memories within the techniques and materials as well as journaling within the work itself provides him with an opportunity to audit the purpose of self-memory, identity and belonging, to remember the past, inspect the present and to extract from it the lessons that help in the restructuring of his future. He is oftentimes interrogating the urge to explore the world and immerse himself in human relationships that add to the man he is becoming whilst finding his way ‘home’ and not losing himself in the process. Kutlo expands his philosophy in his portraiture pieces. His intimate portraits employ the meticulous shading technique of pointillism. His works are heavily influenced by the now, with every dot carrying the heaviness of emotions, memory, and the present complexities of that particular place and time there by making every art piece uniquely personal.

Artwork