Dion Cupido, Untitled, portrait. Two large works available, sold separately. Originally purchased at World Art South Africa, 2013.

Dion Cupido (b. 1973, South Africa) is largely self taught. He started exhibiting in 1998 at the Pea-Nut Gallery. In 2003 he studied at the Arts & Media Access Centre’s (AMAC) professional development program, where he won the Truworths AMAC Academy of the Visual Arts award. Over the past years, Dion has produced a consistent body of abstract work. He is known for his female portraits using ink marks and graffiti, which have been described as ‘Afro-pop’ portraits. He describes graffiti and hip-hop culture as influential on his painting style. “As I’m painting I’m writing things that have an effect on my daily life; … I put everything on the canvas. It’s like a wall; it gets graffiti’d on, painted over, graffiti’d on… Walls have a history of people sharing their ideas, and that’s something that I love. I love the fact that we’ve been writing on walls since time began. That should never change…. This is what this work is about, it is me wrestling with paint and the surface of a canvas to express something deeper. Under the surface is a longing for meaning, understanding and beauty.”

Item Location: 2027

New/Resale: Resale. Purchased World Art South Africa, 2013

Artist: Dion Cupido

Dimensions: W 1400mm x H 1600mm

Style: Contemporary

Materials: Acrylic and ink

Alterations and defects: None noted

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