Tom’s art gains international recognition
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Sunday August 15, 2021 06:00
In an interview with Arts & Culture, Tom said he sold his current most expensive painting in the United Kingdom and the artwork, which gained recognition in the Wendy Williams Show in America, New York, has set the bar too high for his future with millions of views on Netflix and YouTube. He explained that everyday he was grateful for such moments because they keep him going and show him that there was so much hope for the future of the creative industry.
“I am the son of the light and a true son of the soil. Inside me I carry a DNA of Africa, embracing the Mozambican, Zimbabwean and Botswana cultures. My father is Mozambican and my mother was a Motswana, so I was born and bred here in Botswana.
I am based in Gaborone and have recently turned 24 years. I am a fine artist and completed an Industrial Design degree course last year at Limkokwing University. After graduating, I decided to fully focus on my craft instead of going out searching for a job because I have always believed and felt art is my true calling, so I answered the call to serve my purpose,” he revealed.
The fine artist describes himself as an outside box thinker saying he does not believe in any limitations. He said he strongly believed that instead of seeing the sky as a limit, people should rather see it as their playing ground, and that allows him to be a jack of all trades kind of artist.
However, he stated that he usually does acrylic and oil canvas paintings, pencil and charcoal drawings, mural works, body art, clothes customization, Auto CAD works, cinematography (directing), creative writing and much other stuff, which has to do with creating. Out of all the above mentioned, he pointed out that his heart dearly beats for painting because it makes him feel most alive. He explained that painting comes easy like ringing a bell and it always soothes his soul whenever it is in despair.
“Painting taught me discipline, patience, values and commitment. I usually enjoy working on abstract expressions and impressions so as to easily express myself and fly on the wings of my creativity. I have been painting since 2016,” he said.
Furthermore, he disclosed that his late mother was a jack of all trades in the creative industry and did not do art full time. He said the few moments, he witnessed her creating art always left him in awe.
He said most of his art was a reflection of his late mother no wonder he has decided to honour her memory.
“My art is me communicating with her, trying to show her that I am still listening and serving my purpose to my full potential like we had always agreed. So she is basically the main reason behind all my creative works, hence why most of my art is about women,” he said.
Due to hard work and dedication, the young talent had the opportunity of becoming a brand influencer for Jameson and gained recognition from Wendy Williams. Besides selling artworks abroad, Tom has also beeen recognised by New Capitol Cinemas on top of working with giants of the game in creating visuals with Cyc Jouzy. Tom has also worked with with modeling agencies like Empire Models and also with local artistes like Han C, Mosako, Charma Gal, KhoiSan, to mention but a few.