Thabo Motseki b. 1980

Thabo Motseki’s body of work is part of current research process exploring patterns from Seshweshwe (a fabric adopted by Basotho people as part of their culture). The action of carving a lino plate is an act of removal and re-examination of his identity. The marks in or on the plate represent Thabo's interpretation of time, life, rhythm, pulse, negotiation, and pattern. His record of consistencies and inconsistencies in his pulse are abstract and personal metaphors, open to negotiation and conversation.  The lines in his artwork are an expression of diversity, energy, complexity, and inspiration.

Thabo is from the Basotho culture and was born in 1980 in the Masilo Theunissen (Free State) township. He later moved to Johannesburg and was involved in an accident which led  him to spend three confined to a hospital bed without a sense of movement. Despite this adversity, he would go on to attend Southwest Gauteng College, attain a certificate in Fine Arts at Southwest Gauteng College, complete a three-year course in printmaking at Artist Proof Studio, and finish his NQF 5 learnership in Facilitation and Assessing at Education and Development Learning (EDL). He was later employed at Artist Proof Studio and Soyikwa Arts Academy as Printmaking Facilitator and in 2017 he managed the Printmaking Studio at Wits School of Art University. Currently his CFO and Print Technician at the Arts Company Soweto (TACS).

Thabo is a founding partner at The Arts Company Soweto, where, since 2022 he as devoted 80% of his practice to educating and mentoring artists. Thabo focuses on printmaking workshops for school-age children, working with a range of practicing artists, and planning and curating exhibitions. His artworks have been featured in various exhibitions and festivals including the Biennial in China.