Daily Inspiration: Meet Karabo Phaho

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karabo Phaho.

Hi Karabo, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Karabo Johannes Phaho (Phago) (b. 2001) from South Africa (Mokopane, Limpopo) is a visual creative who has
completed his honours, achieving a Postgraduate Diploma in Management (Business Administration) at the Wits
Business School in 2023. Prior to this achievement, Karabo was an undergraduate majoring in marketing and
management in the Bachelor of Commerce course. What sets his journey apart?
“Everything I do that is not art-related, I still do for the art.
” His primary school years were a vital period in the artist’s
career, as this was when he was introduced to pencils and drawing. Creating visual representations gradually became an
important way for Phago to express his feelings and thoughts. It had always been a hobby but became a profession in
2020. During this time, he explored his craft by painting or drawing on unrelated surfaces such as paper, wood, clothes,
and even cement walls. Over the years, his style matured into using mixed media (primarily acrylic paint, charcoal, oil
pastels, pencils, and lino ink) on mainly paper, cardboard, and canvas. The creative element has always been a recurring
theme which progressed and took different forms with each phase of life that the creative entered. It started off with
games and toys at a young age, later transitioning into a bit of poetry, dancing and sports; and now visual arts. He draws
the majority of his inspiration from life experiences in aspects relating to spirituality, relationships, emotions, mentality,
innovations, and his position in the world and society. This art is much more than a typical business pursuit or publicity
stunt—it is a livelihood for Phago. This notion is even lived out as he is currently managing a corporate profession and
other responsibilities to ensure that his passion stays ignited.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it wasn’t an easy road but it compensated for the hardship by making me experience a lot of grace and kindness. An overview of this hardship would be family related (messy divorce between parents, being distant from family relatives, financial pressures, mental pressures and an overall general feeling of rejection/not-belonging in society.

The grace and kindness came from my immediate family (my parents- although divorced, my siblings- who are like my closest friends, my art mentors Rorisang and Blessing, friends and companions and Kevin- the building manager who I’ve adopted as my brother) as well as strangers. Most importantly and for what it’s worth, God…who has made me go through all these things but still be experience/perceive beauty. The cherry on top is that I can experience this beauty and also express it (art being one of multiple mediums).

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
The fuel to my creative practice is catalysis—to induce change through unorthodox beauty and communication. It is to
guide people to feel again, or more deeply. I do not only create for individuals who identify as artists, collectors, or even
art lovers, but for everyone—yes, even those who have no idea of or interest in the craft. It is a language that is aimed at
and welcome to every viewer, with the main intention of unlocking different lengths and levels of perception. These
creations are merely doors open for those who dare to nudge… let those who see, see it.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Yes, I have taken major risks such as deciding to practice art full time as suppose to getting a normal job. Even though I’m working right now I still practice art. My decision to be devout to art full time and in everything that I do has been a major risk. It has forced me to live for expressing the visions that I see internally which is a fine line between delusion and reality. The constant battle between believing in oneself while holding on to “reality” is a risk I’m learning how to live with.

Pricing:

• Small (30 x 40cm) : $110-$500
• Medium (50 x 70cm) : 550$ – $1000
• Large (100 x 150cm) : $1100 – $2600

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/phagoart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phago__
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@phago_