Artist CV

(b 1968ZA. Lives and works in Cape Town )

Cathy Abraham’s work reflects her belief in the intrinsic link between art and science. Using a structure of numbers and the practice of repetition, she questions the boundaries between reality, fantasy and illusion, and tries to find ways to shift perspectives. “Counting forms a fundamental part of my artistic practice, paying special attention to the numbers 9, 18 and 36. I work systematically to unlock surface meaning in the search for a deeper understanding of purpose and logic in every day occurrences.”

2019

A Deeper Kind of Nothing and The Monument, Gallery Glen Carlou 

2018

A Deeper Kind of Nothing, Michaelis Galleries, Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 

2013 

Undying Entanglement, South African Jewish Museum, Cape Town 

2012

Trace, In Toto Gallery, Johannesburg 

2011

Essence, The White House, Plettenberg Bay 

2010

Memory Stains, IBI Art Alliance Francaise, Johannesburg  

2009 

Stripped, IBI Art Alliance Francaise, Johannesburg 

2008

Naked, Joao Ferreira Gallery, Cape Town 

2019

Conversations with Irma, Irma Stern Museum, curated by Christopher Peter 

2016

The Shape of Nothing, Michaelis Graduate Show, Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town, Cape Town

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

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

2015 

Art/Out of the Ordinary, curated by Marilyn Martin, Association of Visual Arts (AVA), Cape Town

Art on Paper VI, curated by Cheryl Rumbak, Kalk Bay Modern, Cape Town 

2014

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

2013

My Mother’s Garden, Arts on Main, Johannesburg

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

2011

Domestic Departures, The Forge, Cape Town 

2009

The Great South African Nude, Everard Read, Johannesburg

Spring Art Fair, SMAC Gallery, Stellenbosch 

2020

Speakes, O. Breathing Space: Cathy Abraham’s A Deeper Kind of Nothing. Artthrob https://artthrob.co.za/2020/01/07/breathing-space-cathy-abrahams-a-deeper-kind-of-nothing/ 

Cape Talk Radio interview with Pippa Hudson http://www.capetalk.co.za/podcasts/127/afternoons-with-pippa-hudson/254287/on-the-couch-cathy-abraham-responds-to-gender-based-violence-with-visual-art 

2013

Jolly, L. Complete Immersion: Honouring opposite but entangled forces of feminism through art. Cape Times. 2 October: 11. 

2004-2009

Home studio, taught art in all mediums 

2017 – 2018 

Assisted painting at Michaelis School of Fine Art, UCT 

1991

BA Economic History UCT 

2016

PGdip Fine Art Michaelis School of Art, UCT 

2017-2018

MFA with distinction, Michaelis School of Art, UCT