Keitumetse Thabane, born in 2004 in Atteridgeville, Pretoria, is a multidisciplinary artist whose work delves into themes of femininity, self-identity, and tradition through the lens of post-apartheid South Africa.
Currently in her second year of Fine Arts at the University of Pretoria, Thabane explores digital collage, photography, bronze sculpture, screen printing, painting, and printmaking, continually refining her techniques. Her artistic journey began in her early years and was further encouraged through high school, where she was awarded Best Art Student of 2022 at Lyttleton Manor High School.
Thabane’s Makaya ya Mina series, in which these two works feature, reflects her grandparents’ homes, both inside and out, evoking memories of childhood play and the role of women in creating a nurturing environment. Inspired by David Goldblatt’s apartheid-era documentation of South African life, she shifts her focus to post-apartheid family spaces, drawing on Tatenda Chidora’s vibrant use of colour.
Unlike the muted tones often seen in portrayals of post-apartheid homes, Thabane’s bright palette brings warmth and optimism to her images. Through enhanced colours and contrasts, especially in her signature bright yellow, she captures the resilience and enduring significance of these homes for her family.
