BIOGRAPHY: Paul Molete

Paul Molete graduated as a professional printmaker from the Artist Proof Studio and has been affiliated with the Studio as a teacher, outreach facilitator and professional artist since 1995. In 2003, Paul won the Brett Kebble Award for Printmaking and has since become increasingly well-known for his contentious subject matter and excellent technical abilities in lino-cut.

Paul does not hesitate to confront sensitive social issues in South Africa, often creating a certain level of discomfort among viewers of his work. His artwork has dealt with controversial issues such as the sexual molestation of children, abortion, the corruption of the priesthood, and homophobia. Inevitably, his works challenge the viewer and provoke serious reflection.

Paul had a well-received solo exhibition at Gallery Art on Paper in 2005 as well as a group exhibition in 2007/8. He produces prints regularly in the APS Pro Print Studio working in collaboration with master printer Tim Foulds. His 2007/8 show included a series of two or three-plate etchings, in which he used ‘aquatint and line etching in superb combination’ (Gallery AoP). His prints at this most recent exhibition were described as follows: ‘completely redolent of the evocative images of such printmaking masters as Albrecht Durer and James Ensor, and such contemporary painters as Jean-Michel Basquiat, fuses emotional, psychological and physiological aspects of the contemporary human condition. Like Basquiat, he adorns his work with numerous pieces of writing… His etchings certainly constitute the best of contemporary social criticism in South African art’. (Gallery AoP)

(Untitled)	Black hat	Body parts circle	Fallen 3	Fallen 2
Han(d)og	Strong chararcters in a space	Untitled

 

 

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