Dimakatso Mathopa (b.1995) is a South African artist whose work explores identity, belonging, and the experiences of black women. She specializes in printmaking techniques like cyanotype, silkscreen, and Van Dyke brown, which allow her to transform photographs into textured, conceptual art pieces. Her work is deeply personal yet also speaks to broader themes that resonate with many.
Mathopa’s art is influenced by her own family’s history, particularly the themes of displacement and resilience. One of her most significant works, Individual Beings Relocated, reimagines the life of her late grandmother. Through this series, she reflects on the important role of matriarchs in shaping the identities of their families, especially amid hardship. Her work tells the story of black South Africans, questioning how their histories have been overlooked or erased.
She aims to place black women in spaces where they were once left out. As she puts it, “My work is not just about placing black women into the frame; it’s about asking why they were left out in the first place.” This challenge to traditional narratives encourages viewers to think more critically about history and representation.
Mathopa has exhibited her work in South Africa and internationally, including at the Norval Foundation in Cape Town and the Ozangè Biennale in Spain. Her work connects personal stories with universal themes of identity and belonging, inviting people to pause and reflect.
Source: Latitudes
