Dubbed the ‘centre of printmaking excellence,’ Johannesburg’s Artist Proof Studios has been a leader in fine art printmaking since 1991. Located in a refurbished warehouse in downtown Jozi, the institution specialises in arts training, print collaborations, partnerships, sales and distribution of prints.
However – with all the services the platform offers – stand out services include their education programmes for budding artists. Taking young artists through a three-year full-time subsidised study programme that includes drawing, critical studies, visual literacy and printmaking, the institution also introduced a fourth year senior and work placement programme which implemented a Senior Internship programme which offers workplace training and experiential learning for each graduate artist.
With artists exploring themes around love, mental health, migration, sexuality and landscapes, Artist Proof Studios students play their part in promoting youthful voices and narratives on the city’s art scene.
“It’s a great space to be in. You get to be free, I can’t compare it to anything else – we’ve got a certain way of doing things and it accommodates everyone and you’re free to explore your talents,” Methembe Hlelo Molefe said.
Creating a conversation between printmaking and sketches, Methembe’s technique evolved from mere drawings into esteemed print works. Using a hand as common symbol in his work the young artist tackles issues around migration and the transitions people go through when adapting to new environments.
Gallery assistant, Pule Ratsoma’s exploration of black masculinity and mental issues is a much-needed addition in the conversations around depression and healing. Before joining Artist Proof Studios, Pule said he didn’t know much about printmaking and its different techniques.
“My love for art and printmaking has grown drastically. Art has always been something I’d do during my spare time, but, I’d never seen it as a career or something to live off. The whole perspective shifted when I came here,” Pule said.
Playing a pivotal part in promoting a love for art in the inner city, the institution creates an environment that allows for collaboration and individuality – creating a space for different themes to co-exist and thrive all with the common goal of pushing the arts as both a career and expressive platform.
Taking a jab at the history of work and workers in Joburg, David Madlabane uses the city’s landscapes via portraiture to tell the story of Joburg’s architecture – shining light on the people who actually built the city.
“It’s something to learn from and it’s something to appreciate when you visually look at it,” David said.
On the other end of the spectrum Alex Nkuna uses rural landscapes as a muse, he explores tropes around fertility and how people interact with the richness offered to them to live a harmonious life. “Art for me, comes from the heart. It’s what you feel and I think everyone has some art in them,” he said.
Exploring femininity, sexuality and love, Thandie Kumalo uses her experiences to raise awareness on how different forms of love and its expressions have an effect on people and their psyche. Her work touches on the personal and forces the viewer to reflect on their own understandings on love and affection.
“My work is all about love. My idea of love is influenced by its expression and the type of environment I am in – how do I express and understand the way love is communicated. “Does the love that I’m giving people mean something to them?”
Check out some of the resident artists at Artist Proof Studios and the themes they explore:
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