LATITUDES ART FAIR 2019
Thursday, 12 Sept – Sunday, 15 Sept
Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton, Johannesburg
Mmabatho Grace Mokalapa’s work is focused on the subjective experience(s) of spaces. Her interests lie in spatial voids and spaces that are often depersonalized, hostile, infinite and yet also uncanny and transcendental. Mokalapa’s work draws from an interest in how our psyche and ideas of “self” are transformed through an encounter with an external stimulus. She believes that transcendental space, have the ability to affect our perception and understanding of our bodies within them. As we encounter these spaces, our psychological, aesthetic and physical relations shift, whilst simultaneously allowing us to imagine ourselves within a space that is part reality and part fiction. Mokalapa explores this relationship with space through a series of drawings, paintings, sculptures and installation works. Her intention is to create an environment in which the viewer is transported away from the outside world. Her works are suggestive of imaginary or otherworldly spaces that evoke emotions of anticipation which evoke mind-body and space encounters with the void.
Mmabatho Grace Mokalapa was born in Soweto (1992). Mokalapa had an interest in art and science since her childhood which has been evident in her work. She attended Mondeor Primary school, where she completed her primary education. At that stage she developed an intense passion for drawing and painting and a curiosity in astronomy and philosophy. Mokalapa then completed her high school education at Hoërskool die Fakkel in 2010, and in 2011, she began to study visual arts at the University of Witwatersrand. Mokalapa graduated in 2015 with a BA degree in Fine Arts and later became a recipient of The Studio Bursary at Assemblage Studios funded by the African Arts Trust. She is currently working as an independent artist at August House End Street Studios.
