‘Fiddlearth’ is an animated series employing various media and creative techniques to explore life in South Africa after the end of Apartheid. It looks at identity, mental health, masculinity, and injustice in today’s world.

Through abstract images and movement, it shows shared emotions, cultural change, and how people’s sense of self continues to evolve.

The work reflects on the way social and personal histories remain interconnected, demonstrating how past experiences continue to shape present realities. It suggests that people’s emotions and identities are influenced not only by their environment but also by global cultural trends.

The animation explores how individuals navigate belonging, vulnerability, and resilience in a society marked by inequality and transformation. It invites viewers to pause and reflect on how we relate to one another and to the world around us, suggesting that even in the face of struggle and change, creativity offers a space for healing and collective understanding.

Multimedia artist Paul Thabo first encountered a projector-based show in Newtown, Johannesburg in 2020. Four years later, he presented work at an exhibition held at the Central Johannesburg College campus. His creative practice is grounded in meditation, spirituality, and an awareness of a constantly evolving society shaped by personal trials and growth.

Thabo focuses on expressing complex and abstract visual narratives, exploring new ways to convey meaning and emotion. This process helps him find practical approaches to storytelling while developing a style that remains open and without strict boundaries.

Since his youth, he has preferred creative freedom, moving from early forms of experimentation to refining his skills over time. Drawn to nature, many of his pieces incorporate natural elements, along with ideology, philosophy, and both fictional and non-fictional ideas. His interest in each project includes exploring its origins and underlying process.