Biography

Reneilwe (Rene) Mathibe is an artist and curator based in Johannesburg, South Africa, born in 1989 in Rustenburg, North West Province. She completed her B-Tech Degree in Visual Arts, specializing in Painting and Drawing, at the University of Johannesburg in 2010.

As the Marketing and Communications Manager at Artist Proof Studio, Mathibe plays a key role in shaping the studio’s public image and outreach efforts. Her responsibilities include overseeing marketing campaigns, managing social media, and developing strategic communications that align with the studio’s mission to promote printmaking and educational initiatives. In addition to her marketing role, Mathibe mentors graduates at Artist Proof Studio, offering guidance and support as they transition into their professional careers.

Outside of her work at Artist Proof Studio, Mathibe is the founder and curator of She Impressions, a multidisciplinary platform dedicated to empowering women artists and creating opportunities for women to express themselves freely and showcase their talents.

Mathibe’s artistic practice focuses on exploring both the freedoms and constraints faced by women and other marginalized individuals in South Africa. Her work reflects the social and cultural forces that shape their lives, inviting viewers to engage with important conversations about identity, gender, and social justice.

Mathibe has been involved in several group exhibitions including

• Heterogeneous Enigmas at University of Johannesburg
• Women’s Journey in Limpopo, Coming of age, 21 years of Artist Proof Studio
• Images of Women, Trialogues: A celebration of women in printmaking, Johannesburg
• Analogous: online exhibition, Turbine Art Fair, Johannesburg
• Somewhere over the Rainbow: Origin Lambda Pride at Art and About in collaboration with Lizamore and Associates and Rand Merchant Bank
• Art Fairs include Cape Town Art Fair, Johannesburg Art Fair, RMB Latitudes Art Fair and Turbine Art Fair.

Artist Statement

My artistic practice revolves around self-reflection, an inner dialogue with myself. Through my works, I explore the concept of visibility and invisibility, using my body as a means of exploration. Body language becomes a powerful tool in conveying emotions and meanings that lie beneath the surface. My aim is to communicate the conflicting experience of simultaneously feeling seen and hidden within the confines of a dominant heterosexual world.

Living as a female, queer, and black individual in South Africa presents its own unique set of challenges. It remains difficult to live openly without fear of judgment or discrimination. The essence of my work is to capture these struggles and convey them visually. By employing textures and embracing ambiguity, my art represents an intertwined journey of self-discovery and acceptance. It is a constant negotiation between revealing and concealing, as the body often retreats from the viewer's gaze to counteract the notion of visibility and the desire for freedom.

I continually question the boundaries that society imposes on self-expression. When does one reach the point where it becomes "OK" to fully express oneself without judgment or discrimination? These questions serve as a driving force behind my artistic exploration. Through my work, I aim to encourage viewers to reflect on their own perceptions of visibility, acceptance, and the freedom to be authentically oneself.

My art seeks to shed light on the complex intersection of identity, societal expectations, and personal freedom. It is a visual narrative that invites viewers on a journey of empathy and understanding, as we collectively strive for a more inclusive and accepting world.