Lerato Motaung

Lerato Motaung (b. 1991, South Africa) is a Johannesburg-based visual artist whose multidisciplinary practice delves into the interplay between memory, selfhood, and collective narratives. He examines how personal and cultural histories shape the human experience, employing various mediums to capture the tension between memory's fragility and persistence.

Through expressive colour palettes and layered compositions, Motaung creates a visual language that reflects the emotional weight of memory and the complexities of experience, from joy and sorrow to transformation and resilience. He holds a National Diploma in Fine Art from Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria. His impact extends beyond the canvas, with global participations and exhibitions. In 2021, he was a finalist in the Sasol New Signature Awards at the Pretoria Art Museum. His international exposure includes the "Our Africa, Our Future" residency in Senegal (2022) hosted by the African Union. Motaung's group exhibitions include prestigious venues such as the Pretoria Art Museum, Haart Gallery in London, THK Gallery in Cologne, and Boschendal in Cape Town. He won The Emergence Art Prize in 2020 and completed a two-month residency in Cologne, Germany, in 2022.

Motaung's artwork is featured in collections worldwide, including Foundation H in Paris and Madagascar, and a planned museum in Cardiff, Wales. His artistic journey is marked by a commitment to exploring cultural identity, leaving a significant mark on the global art scene.