Bangikaya Maqoqa’s first collaboration with Warren Editions print studio has yielded a series of exquisite, brightly coloured monotypes.

His chosen subject matter of cattle grazing and bulls knocking horns are set in landscapes reminiscent of the Eastern Cape of South Africa. His vibrant use of colour and gestural brushstrokes draw the viewer into the dreamlike scenes of his youth. Solitary figures go about their daily routine in rural areas, walking across grassy hills.

As a painter, this was Maqoqa’s introduction to the monotype technique, and although challenging, his skill as a painter is evident in his clever use of colour. This was a learning and exploratory process for Maqoqa and a chance for Warren Editions to push large-scale monotypes.

Maqoqa was born in Butterworth in the Eastern Cape of South Africa in 1966. He completed a two-year visual studies course at the Community Arts Project (CAP) in Cape Town. He has participated in mentoring programs at the Bagfactory (Fordsburg art studios) in Johannesburg and has done residencies at the Greatmore Studios in Cape Town. Maqoqa’s work has been exhibited at the AVA Gallery in Cape Town and Johannesburg group exhibitions.

What is a Monotype?

A monotype is commonly referred to as the ‘painterly print’. A monotype is solely generated from autonomous marks made onto a surface – such as PVC or perspex. The monotype contains no ‘re-usable’ elements. In other words, in creating a monotype, the surface an artist paints does not hold any fixed information that can be printed more than once. Unlike the printing surface of an etching, which has been permanently etched and thus can be printed in an edition, the monotype exists as a once-off – a unique print.

The exception is that a ghost print and/or cognate print can be pulled after the initial impression has been printed. However, as the term ghost implies, this second print pulled is the faint marks left over on the surface.

 

Framed Price R12250 (excl. VAT) | Frame detail – Ash 

 

Framed Price R12500 (excl. VAT) | Frame detail – Ash

 

Framed Price R12500 (excl. VAT) | Frame detail – Ash

 

Framed Price R3850 (excl. VAT) | Frame detail – Ash

 

Framed Price R3850 (excl. VAT) | Frame detail – Ash

 

Framed Price R5500 (excl. VAT) | Frame detail – Ash

 

Framed Price R7000 (excl. VAT) | Frame detail – Ash