Paul Emmanuel (artist)

Paul Emmanuel (born 1968, Johannesburg, South Africa; died 2010, Johannesburg, South Africa) was a South African artist known primarily for his large-scale, intensely detailed, and emotionally charged drawings. He also worked in printmaking, sculpture, and installation. His practice explored themes of masculinity, identity, vulnerability, and the legacy of violence and colonialism in South Africa.

Emmanuel's work often incorporated meticulous mark-making techniques, building up layers of graphite and other materials to create complex textures and nuanced representations of the human form. His subjects frequently depicted men, including himself, in states of introspection or physical vulnerability.

Notable exhibitions included solo shows at institutions like the Goodman Gallery (Johannesburg and Cape Town) and participation in group exhibitions both in South Africa and internationally. His work is held in numerous public and private collections.

Emmanuel received critical acclaim for his honest and often unsettling portrayal of the male psyche, challenging traditional notions of masculinity and confronting the traumas of South Africa's past. He is remembered for his technical mastery and the emotional depth of his artistic expression.