Ramarutha Makoba
Ramarutha Makoba was born in Soweto, Johannesburg South Africa in 1984. At the age of 13 he attended art classes at a local community centre. He later attended workshops at the Johannesburg Art Gallery as well as completing a two year course at FUBA (Federated Union of Black Artists). He joined Artist Proof Studio in 2004, receiving certificates of excellence in his first and second year. He completed his Third Year in professional printmaking in 2007.
In Makoba’s work, trees are a metaphor for families around the communities. I feel that a tree is a good metaphor to represent life, for instance, when you teach someone it’s like planting a tree and when it grows, it bears fruits, this is a sign of gaining knowledge and being productive.
The roots represent a time frame of where the person is coming from, then the stem and the branches represent growth and success. The community uses trees for shade and some members solve community problems under the tree. I want my artworks to inspire people, for them to relate and change the world.
Makoba has exhibited at the District Six 50th Commemoration Print Exchange group exhibition (2016), a group exhibition at Seosame Gallery (2016), solo exhibition at Art Room entitled “Change The World” (2016), group show at David Krut Art Gallery (2016), group show at Lizamore & Associates (2015); amongst others.
Makabo currently is a facilitator at the Artist Proof Studio Outreach Program ‘Artist in Arks’ and also facilitates at Little Artists School Project in Berea. He practices as a full-time artist.
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