LEHLOGONOLO Mashaba, whose exhibition is currently on at the Bag Factory in Newtown, is an exciting visual artist.

The exhibit, which opened yesterday, runs until December 7.

Mashaba, a print-making specialist, creates abstract human figures in his artwork. Mashaba tells a story through text messages.

"I continuously use cellphone texts. At first I used texts from messages of people or SMSes that had influenced me. I felt that they had helped me create me because of the power they had over me," the KwaThema-born artist explains.

Using print-making techniques such as monotype and silk-screen, Mashaba says the text messages become a memory of a conversation he had had with someone.

"I combine different information and words from different texts. I take some of the texts from the Bible. They become imbedded in history and become a reminder."

Mashaba, who was born in 1983, says he focuses on text because he is passionate about writing.

"I want to influence and to recreate. Texts are shapes and symbols. However, my interest in text should not be mistaken for a desired future in literature. I am not a writer but I record events through text."

Mashaba began his art education at the Funda Centre in Diepkloof in Soweto. He later enrolled at the Artist Proof Studios where he obtained a certificate in design and print-making in 2004.

He has participated in numerous group exhibitions in South Africa, France, and United States of America.