Fathema Bemath is a mother, entrepreneur and a sculptor. Born in 1971, she spent the early years of her childhood around Diagonal Street, Johannesburg. Under the design of the apartheid government, Fathema and her family relocated to Lenasia. The cosmopolitan landscape of Johannesburg-town in the early 1970’s, despite its unjust laws, piqued the curiosity of individuals who have a deep appreciation of art. By contrast, Lenasia was a more insular society. Many in the community considered art as indulgence, given the socio-economic circumstances of the day, and was even frowned upon as potentially anti-religion or subversive. While opportunities to explore art as a career were scarce, this was non-existent for an Indian female from a very conservative family, but that did not prevent her from having an appreciation for that which she was prevented from pursuing. It follows then that Fathema enrolled at Wits Technikon on her parents’ instruction to either study dental technology or get married. She graduated in 1993, being the only female and person of colour in her class. She has, since 1997, owned and managed a successful dental laboratory. Through the years, Fathema’s love and appreciation of art was honoured by dabbling in pottery, interior design and drawing but never with the conviction it deserved. However, it was a creative collaboration with the late Benon Lutaaya that proved life changing. Having been gifted an opportunity to work with Benon on a collage, Fathema found a kindred spirit. For two years, within the intimate space of collaboration and seeing the world through the eyes of a fellow artist that her journey into a career in sculpting began to take shape. Having navigated systemic barriers to realising her dream, and balancing the world of motherhood and business, the calling of a physical representation of her creative vision could no longer be ignored.
Fathema Bemath
- Untitled (Saw Red)R 42,000.00
- EquanimityR 28,000.00
- CountenanceR 35,000.00
- Tunnel VisionR 200,000.00
- Untitled (Medium Mallet)R 25,000.00
- Untitled (Mallet)R 22,000.00
- Untitled (Long Nose)R 40,000.00
- Untitled (Side Cutter)R 40,000.00
- Untitled (Plier)R 40,000.00
- In Case of EmergencyR 40,000.00
- Untitled (Saw)R 28,000.00
- Untitled (Axe)R 25,000.00
- ArmisR 100,000.00
- ListenR 50,000.00
- Obstant/DespiteR 50,000.00
- Alnisa/WomanR 50,000.00
- Untitled (Spade)R 35,000.00
- Untitled (Pick)R 35,000.00
- AssimilateR 45,000.00
