Sifiso Mkhabela (b. 1991, Mbombela) is a sculptor based in Pretoria, where he moved in 2013 to complete his B-Tech degree in Fine and Applied Arts. His engagement with metal began early, inspired by his father, a boilermaker, whose tireless work ethic deeply influenced him. This foundational experience was further developed when Mkhabela worked as a studio assistant for sculptor Angus Taylor after graduating.
Mkhabela's practice involves creating sculptures that often blend geometric forms with organic structures, employing hybrid techniques to transform existing concepts into new forms. He frequently stars his process with models made from shoe sole rubber or wire, which are later scaled up into life-sized or ever larger metal sculptures. The surfaces often retain a raw, translucent quality that highlights the texture and inherent properties of the medium.
Conceptually, Mkhabela draws inspiration from childhood memories integrated with mathematical and scientific ideas, particularly Platonism – the philosophical view of abstract objects existing beyond time and space. He describes his sculptures as attempts to represent these abstract objects filtered through his personal experiences, calling them "hybrids of my thoughts." For Mkhabela, metal is a potent medium, resonating with its fundamental role in everyday life and infrastructure, connecting back to his father's craft and his own artistic explorations.
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Sifiso Mkhabela (b. 1991, Mbombela) is a sculptor based in Pretoria, where he moved in 2013 to complete his B-Tech degree in Fine and Applied Arts. His engagement with metal began early, inspired by his father, a boilermaker, whose tireless work ethic deeply influenced him. This foundational experience was further developed when Mkhabela worked as a studio assistant for sculptor Angus Taylor after graduating.
Mkhabela's practice involves creating sculptures that often blend geometric forms with organic structures, employing hybrid techniques to transform existing concepts into new forms. He frequently stars his process with models made from shoe sole rubber or wire, which are later scaled up into life-sized or ever larger metal sculptures. The surfaces often retain a raw, translucent quality that highlights the texture and inherent properties of the medium.
Conceptually, Mkhabela draws inspiration from childhood memories integrated with mathematical and scientific ideas, particularly Platonism – the philosophical view of abstract objects existing beyond time and space. He describes his sculptures as attempts to represent these abstract objects filtered through his personal experiences, calling them "hybrids of my thoughts." For Mkhabela, metal is a potent medium, resonating with its fundamental role in everyday life and infrastructure, connecting back to his father's craft and his own artistic explorations.
