Michele Mathison (b. 1977; South Africa) is a South African-Zimbabwean sculptor and installation artist, whose works are inspired by his lived experience and observation of daily life. Mathison is best known for his exploration of abstract and geometric forms that depict his experimentation with form and function. Mathison’s works also examine the shifting dynamics of labour, cultivation, and urban decay in the context of South Africa.

Through abstracted symbolism and traces of minerals and artifacts extracted during his process, Mathison rigorously engages with the idea of familiar objects. The works together reflect not only his deep study of urban decay in sub-Saharan Africa but also shed light on the country’s collective concerns. Other key themes addressed in his work include economic inequality, issues related to capital, mining, and the migration of people and natural resources as representative of the personal and political.

Mathison’s work has been exhibited widely, both in Southern Africa and global art fairs, including three solo exhibitions with WHATIFTHEWORLD gallery in Cape Town and select shows entitled EXIT/EXILE (2014) at Nirox Projects, Harvest (2015) at the Zeitz MOCAA Scheryn Pavilion, Uproot (2016) and Dissolution (2018) at Tyburn Gallery, and select works exhibited at Frieze Sculpture and Zeitz MOCAA.

Selected group exhibitions include Dudziro (2013), Zimbabwe Pavilion, 55th Venice Biennale, Italy, Broken English (2015) at Tyburn Gallery, London, and Inner Landscapes (2019) at Galleria Anna Marra, Rome. Mathison has also participated in various arts residencies, including residencies at Muse Salentine, Alessano and Castello San Basilio, Pisticci (2019), and Brescia, Italy (2021). In 2021, he was also commissioned to produce a large-scale public sculpture for the North-West University.