Art dream takes flight at King Shaka
THE hustle and bustle of King Shaka International Airport is not the usual setting for a fine art atelier. But for 36-year-old Ezequiel Mabote, exhibiting his paintings at the airport is the realisation of a dream.
“Ever since I travelled abroad for the first time in 2002, I’ve wanted to sell my work to travellers,” he said.
Having travelled to Chicago, New York, Washington and Seattle, the owner of Mabote Visual Art wanted to share his colourful, evocative creative vision with a global audience.
“At various airports, I saw top-class art shops selling the work of artists from the countries I was in. I thought it was a brilliant idea that I could use back home and a way of making sure that art from KZN was showcased to tourists,” he said.
Mabote was previously based at Durban’s BAT Centre.
“I managed to travel a lot and exhibit my work nationally before I went abroad. The airport idea came at the right time and allowed me to exploit a gap in the market. I met a lot of locals who did not know there was such a thing. They have supported my work in a very encouraging way.”
Growing up in Mozambique, Mabote moved to Dur- ban as a child to live with his mother’s family.
“From a young age I drew on everything I could find. I was raised in an artistic neighbourhood that had many sculptors and painters.
“I helped the artists touch up their work, to earn pocket money. They taught me and inspired me. For me, it is not just art, but a way of life.”
Mabote attempts to capture his life experience in his work.
“I analyse my experiences and interpret them in my paintings. The work also captures the African way of life.”
The versatile artist specialises in abstract contemporary and landscape art, but has a passion for woodcuts.
“I do colour reduction prints, a technique I learned 15 years ago from a Namibian artist, Simon Bindello.”
His future plans include mentoring and developing other artists.