Artist draws mural for LGBTQI community
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Sunday July 10, 2022 06:00
According to the talented artist, through the mural they would like to create something that represents the LGBTQI community in a public space to signify freedom, love, power and the beauty that lives in each human soul regardless of the differences through the mural.
Langwane, who is a Bachelor's Degree holder in Humanities (majoring in Theology and English), said in the past the LGBTQI community has been enduring issues such as censorship, discrimination and persecution.
He also said the mural also serves as a medium communication about the rainbow community after their win on the decriminalisation of same-sex conduct, which is a milestone achievement for the LGBTQI community, which is a step forward towards getting their full identity.
The fine artist, who started painting and drawing professionally five years ago, stated that his artistry has since changed. “Back in 2014 I was young and most of my art was so guarded and cautious and maybe way more controlled than it is today. Not to say it was a bad thing but there has been more liberation in me coming to an appointment where I could express anything and everything about myself at any given moment,” he said.
Langwane further said art is a lifetime tool and he will hammer and blast through walls if he has to until they all get to a place where freedom of expression comes as easy as drinking water.
The visual artist said at this point in life he is happy that Batswana have appreciated that art is beyond beauty but rather can be a valid career and can be used as a tool of disseminating information.
In the past, he said there was a perception in their culture that art is not really a profession but more of a hobby. He shared that he has grown interested in portraits, which he has to come up with his own style and textures to be unique from others. “I just love how each element can make a piece of work so unique and meaningful to the heart.
All my artworks come alive, especially when I am playing soulful music. That genre touches my mind and my soul,” said Langwane. He said the brush is his pen and a weapon he uses to let loose and just let the strokes carry his messages away by their emotions. His work comprises portraits and abstract work, which is mainly on canvas and paper. He has even gone to the extent of customising sculptors done by other artists to give some colour and more reflection to them. Langwane is inspired by the different elements in life and experiences he has encountered.