you are here: | Top Billing features artist Patrick Rapai
Top Billing features artist Patrick Rapai
Top Billing features artist Patrick Rapai We mark Youth Day with artist Patrick Rapai, the African success story born in that momentous year of 1976.
For the many who live in the suburbs, commuting between residential estates and offices - it’s easy to feel disconnected from the continent we are part of.
Gallery owner Alice Pitzer has found the solution in the charismatic, vibrant African scenes painted by Zimbabwean artist Patrick Rapai. Hailing from the farming town of Masvingo, Patrick has worked as an artist in Botswana and he brought all of those influences, in his artwork, when he and his family arrived in Joburg.
Working on canvas, Patrick uses conventional paints along with a paste of his own. One which he creates by mixing timber glue, wood varnish, tile grout or cement.
Given their thickness, each textured layer can take a whole day to dry. The next stage after this will be to apply dark, background shadows and finally colours.
In the age of software and apps, Patrick reminds us what’s possible with inspiration, talent and just your bare hands.
