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Katleho

My body of work explores ideas about contemporary urban culture and the influence it has on young people with the things we wear and choose to carry with us. For whatever use humans always find creative and interesting ways to express themselves whether it be through fashion, bodily modifications or objects we carry on a daily basis. The body of work is predominantly 2D, using pencil, pen, ink, paint and charcoal it focuses on the subject of  human figures. 

Throughout the exhibition there are large portraits that explore themes of the past through attire or fashion of the past, particularly causing the viewer to question their perception of how contemporary culture has changed. This was greatly influenced by Kehinde Wiley’s style of representing African Americans in old master paintings. In the exhibition there is also an installation of my sketchbook drawings that will allow viewers to experience the artistic process and thought behind the themes that make my pieces specific to my style. Enki Bilal was also a prominent source of inspiration for my piece that involved scenery, his comic book style of fading out colours and panels that are present in my pieces, each of course exploring their own respective themes.

The arrangement of my pieces in the exhibition space is centered around my piece “the ball is in your court” in the center of a double L shaped space. Around the portait is another portrait “Decorated” which goes hand in hand with its counterpart. My charcoal piece was placed to the right of the center piece, it creates a sort of interaction where the knife is pointing directly at the head of the portrait. The balance of scales was a simple setup as I have very few pieces that include a lot of colour, my piece “Step harder” has a lot of yellow and brown washed colours and I placed it on the second L shaped wall to give it it’s own space, to avoid creating conflict of colours.

 

 

Knife Talk (Febuary 2022)

Chalk and charcoal 

50cm x 60cm 

This piece of artwork was a chalk drawing meant to represent the found object which was a balisung knife or butterfly knife as some might prefer,  being held in a hand in a striking position. This was meant to communicate the intent to use the object. Taking an interest in drawing one of the hardest body parts, the hands. The anatomy of the hands allows for a convergence of emotion or gesture. In its own respect it is a language, giving it an object automatic subject.

 

 

Drawing Instillation (March 2023)

Copies of pen and pencil drawings

28.5cm x 41 cm

This piece is a collection of exploration pages that showcase my artistic development and studies of my themes. It creates the freedom and fluidity of a sketchbook installed within a space.

 

 

 

 

Panel: Slide (June 2022)

Pencil 

44cm x 64cm 

This panel makes up a larger work of art, it has its own context falling under the use of objects of weaponry and masks. These themes were chosen to represent my shock of reality to show the common uses of objects such as these. Tying each panel to a different subject, this one focused on the more criminal aspect of the common uses of weapons and masks. Inspired by the comic composure of Masashi Kishimoto, rather simplistic in order to convey the narrative.

Panel: Who Want Smoke? (June 2022)

Pencil 

Dimensions: 44cm x 32cm 

This panel is a continuation of the Slide piece using ancient and warrior-like use of weapons and masks as protection in ancient close hand to hand combat. None of the combatants’ faces are shown as one is covered and one tells the narrative from his third person view, forced to fight the masked warrior.

 

 

Step Harder (February 2023)

Acrylic paint and pencil

95cm x 75cm

This piece depicts a dirty pair of highly fashionable shoes. With reference to Enki Bilal’s style to fade out the background in contrast to an unclear focus point for viewers, the painting dares the viewer to not have a focus point when scanning the painting. There is a new culture of “sneakerheads” associated with the obsession to keep new shoes clean for as long as possible, even if it means not wearing the shoe at all. This almost defeats the purpose of buying the shoe.

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Decorated (March 2023)

Pencil 

54cm x 65cm 

This portrait is a depiction of the Old Master style that inspired the likes of Kehinde Wiley's art. The piece creates a striking and unexpected contrast for viewers as they come to realise the black man depicted with distinct tattoos on his face. This suggests a non-traditional background, possibly one that includes infamy or exploits outside of the typical military life. The bear is a traditional symbol for Russian identity and military, it creates a juxtaposition of tradition and modernity.

 

 

 

The Ball Is In Your Court (January 2023)

Pencil, ink pen and acrylic

54cm x 65cm 

The figure was in a striking pose where his posture was upright, his shoulder flexed as he held the basketball right infront of the camera. The figure was inspired from the internet but the piece was recreated from an initial sketch in my book which was rather interesting because it forced me to recreate facial features from my imagination. The viewer is welcome to imagine their own meaning for the portrait. The facial expression, unlike the features, was meant to express focus and nonchalant.