The Art of My Life, colour print exhibition to run at the Alliance Française gallery from July 17 to August 7 celebrates the African roots of artist Ezequiel Mabote. The exhibition of colour woodblocks by the self-taught local artist opens July 17 at 18h00 in co-operation with the BAT Centre.

Mabote places great importance on his African roots and draws on influences from his childhood in creating his art work. He especially cherishes memories of listening to his grandparents telling stories that were passed from generation to generation about traditional life. He gives these stories form - hence the title of his first solo exhibit which was Art in Memory. He feels a responsibility as an artist to pass on his heritage to future generations, an idea that was visible in Value of African Tradition, his second solo exhibit. Both these exhibitions were held at the BAT Centre.

This, his third solo exhibit, reveals that while Mabote's impressive and meticulous technical skills as a printmaker continue to change and improve, his desire to live and express an African life has remained the same - inseparable from his art. Ezequiel's talent is attracting national and international attention. His works will be exhibited in Oslo, Norway and Johannesburg this year.