Urban contemporary artist, Ludumo Maqabuka has brought the idea of city grit and graffiti
into the artist’s studio. His painterly style of creating powerful abstract graffiti type backgrounds,
juxtaposed against highly detailed time consuming narrative graphic images, results in an
unexpected surface. The strong visual dichotomy of an uncontrolled graffiti process against
a tight formal graphic type image keeps the viewer engaged in unexpected visual dynamic
which sparks curiosity. Maqabuka typically paints portraits of well known people, such as Sade,
Laliboi and Lupita Nyong amongst others. His subject matter is specifically chosen to reflect
a particular social narrative.
“I combine the textures of decaying buildings, worn graffiti and the faces of people to impart my
personality into my work. My creative intention is to conscientize societal norms within the framework
of popular culture.” Ludumo Maqabuka
