Alex Abrahams (b. 1991) is a trained curator and self-taught artist from Cape Town. Alex is pursuing his art career with great commitment. He exhibited in seven group exhibitions in 2021, which was his debut year for exhibiting his art.

ARTIST STATEMENT

"Original lino prints, inspired by nature, intended for contemplation.

My artworks are inspired by nature’s grand design. Monumental but also fragile. They are a recognition of the dynamic interplay between nature and humanity.
Simple scenes trigger the imagination. For example, in “Driftwood” (2022), I transformed an old tree found on the beach into an image somewhere between a dragon and a mountain, whilst maintaining the sense that the tide is ever imminent, ready to bring about something unexpected or different from before.
Nature is grand for its ability to loom over us and present as an artwork in the outside world. The palm tree in “Chart Farm” (2023) hides the Old Cape Dutch building on the outskirts of Constantia, but also engages it with a machismo stand-off, while casting a shadow on the rest of the farm, as if to rule over the grass and rose beds.
Fragility is something everyone can relate to. I have had my personal battles. I have witnessed others going through upheaval. Like us, at any given time, nature may reach its ultimate breaking point.
My work is not pessimistic, but contemplative. In “Solitude” (2021), the empty bench surrounded by trees in Kirstenbosch Gardens, invites contemplation of remembrance and loss.

When I go into nature, I photograph scenes where there is interplay of light and dark. Then I do a schematic drawing. This drawing is then translated into the medium of a lino print. Through these various stages an artist’s vision is sharpened but also transformed."

2021-Present: Digital archivist (South African Jewish Museum)
2020-2024: Weaving studio assistant
2020: Data capturing internship (South African Print Gallery)
2018: Data capturing internship (South African Heritage and Resources Agency)
2017: Curator intern (Greatmore Studios)
2017: Internship (District Six Museum)
2016: Internship (Aspire Art Auctions)
2015: BA Honours in Curatorship (UCT)
2014: Internship (Iziko SA National Gallery)
2010-2013: BA Majors: Drama & Sociology (UCT)