CATHY ABRAHAM

(b. 1968 Cape Town, South Africa

‘Much of my work is spatiotemporal, meaning that it belongs to both time and space. Time in that it is allegorical, lamenting past traumas or occurrences; and space in that these ungraspable yet palpable forces continue to occupy tangible physical and emotional space in the present. I see this as a sensuous entanglement of existence simultaneously forming a visible metaphor for life in all its ungraspable transcendence.’

Cathy Abraham’s creative work brings together seemingly disparate entities through a participatory and ritual-based practice. While she has used a range of mediums reflecting her subject matters, including film, installation and sculpture, Abraham currently focuses on repetitive processes in abstract painting. She works systematically, using counting of forms to unlock meaning in the search for a deeper understanding of the purpose of the everyday. 

Abraham’s practice is grounded in her belief in the links between art and science; spiritual practice and reincarnation; and the search for ways of shifting perspectives. Her work challenges notions of time and space; as well as expectation versus reality — collapsing past, present and future.

Abraham specialised in process-based art at the Michaelis School of Fine Arts, University of Cape Town, where she graduated with a Post Graduate Diploma in 2016 and a Master’s in Fine Art with Distinction in 2018. 

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2023

Yielding to the Shadow, solo booth, Investec Cape Town Art Fair, with IBI Art Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa

2022

22 Pathways, Cubicle Series, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa

2021

9 Spaces: The abyss of deep time, The Fourth, Cape Town, South Africa

Featured artist Turbine Art Fair, Johannesburg, South Africa

2019

A Deeper Kind of Nothing, Gallery at Glen Carlou, Stellenbosch, South Africa

2018

A Deeper Kind of Nothing, Michaelis Galleries, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

2013

Undying Entanglement, South African Jewish Museum, Cape Town, South Africa

2012

Trace, In Toto Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

2011

Essence, The White House, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

2010

Memory Stains, IBI Art Alliance Francaise, Johannesburg, South Africa

2009

Stripped, IBI Art Alliance Francaise, Johannesburg, South Africa

2008

Naked, Joao Ferreira Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2023

What I Feel When I Think About The Cosmos, Everard Read, Franschhoek, South Africa

Winter, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa

Optimal Vibration, Graham Contemporary, Johannesburg, South Africa

2022

Seduction, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa

2021

Winter show, Gallery Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

2019

Conversations with Irma, curated by Christopher Peter, Irma Stern Museum, Cape Town, South Africa

2016

The Shape of Nothing, Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

The Spirit of Stern, curated by Michael Chandler, Irma Stern Museum, Cape Town, South Africa. 

The Space Between, curated by Mari Macdonald, South African Jewish Museum, Cape Town, South Africa

2015

Art/Out of the Ordinary, curated by Marilyn Martin, Association of Visual Arts, Cape Town, South Africa

Art on Paper VI, Kalk Bay Modern, Cape Town, South Africa

2014

Seeking Eden, curated by Margie Murgatroyd, Casa Labia, Cape Town, South Africa

2013

My Mother’s Garden, Arts on Main, Johannesburg, South Africa

In Good Company, curated by Michael Chandler, Irma Stern Museum, Cape Town, South Africa

2011

Domestic Departures, The Forge, Cape Town, South Africa

2009

The Great South African Nude, Everard Read, Johannesburg, South Africa

Spring Art Fair, SMAC Gallery, Stellenbosch, South Africa