SickO’s interactive graffiti creates magic

Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Sunday February 25, 2024 06:00

 

Graffiti art, also referred to as street art by some, is the general term used to describe the majority of public artwork, which consists of spray-painted murals, writings, or drawings on walls, buildings, or the streets.

Graffiti is gradually gaining acceptance in society, despite the fact that it is still viewed in some places as vandalism and destruction of public property. SickO, who is well-known for the murals on the Maun Gateway Monument that are a hit with people who visit Maun, perceives graffiti as a social tool.

He stated in an interview with Arts&Culture that although he limits himself for a variety of reasons, he prefers to paint in graffiti style on walls using spray paint. The 34-year-old visual artist, who is an Associate Degree in Architecture Technology graduate from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, also owns an art studio in Maun. According to the amazing artist, the medium of graffiti art enables him to create enormous paintings that the whole community, even the young people who lack the means or have never visited an art gallery, can enjoy.

He added that he has complete freedom to express himself whenever and wherever he goes without obtaining anyone’s consent thanks to graffiti. Sadly, because graffiti is so dear to his heart, SickO was concerned that some people still view it as vandalism rather than as a kind of art.

Artists such as SickO occasionally run afoul of the law after spray painting graffiti on walls in public spaces. The talented artist did, however, note that the neighborhood is beginning to understand how art changes its surroundings and can help people re-establish a connection with their once-abandoned space.

He indicated that murals are now an integral part of Maun culture and the city’s tourism hub draws visitors from all over the world, thanks to the addition of new murals and artists. It was in 2013 when the talented artist began creating murals around his neighborhood and has never looked back since, adding that one of his friends pushed him to become a member of the Okavango Artists Association. “I headed the mural crew for the Maun Arts Festival after I joined the association. Since then, among other locations, I’ve painted community murals at the Thuso Rehab Centre, the Maun Library, the Nhabe Museum, and Bana ba Letsatsi,” he continued. SickO, who is also a part of the Gaborone-based three-men graffiti crew called CUP, has worked with foreign artists from Detroit, Texas, as well as other African artists.

The gifted artist continued: “I’ve painted over 166 paintings on canvas and watercolour paper and over 100 murals throughout Botswana,” he said. The talented artist explained that the first steps in making a painting or mural are idealisation, surface preparation, scaling, and sketching, followed by painting to produce artistic expressions. He expressed worry about the lack of professional paints, supplies and venues for showcasing their artwork, such as modern art galleries, graffiti and mural festivals, or events. SickO revealed that his love for art began in elementary school and that his mother, who is a traditional basket weaver, is the reason he is such a great artist.

“My mom, who weaves traditional baskets and growing up in a tourist destination surrounded by beautiful landscapes and wildlife, are great inspirations for my work,” said SickO, further adding that his love for art has been greatly influenced by African history, culture, and the study of African musk. In addition, SickO draws inspiration from the works of great artists like Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci, Jean Michel Basquiat, Love Letters Crew, and Hip Hop culture and lifestyle. Additionally, he revealed that Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, which was painted between 1503 and 1506, is his all-time favourite portrait. It features a mysterious woman with an alluring smile.

SickO has taken part in regional and local group exhibitions. The talented graffiti artist held his first solo art exhibition at My Space Botswana in December last year. His art has been collected by tourists, coffee shops, Nhabe museum, The Space Botswana, Maxx Mosses from LA and the Minister of Finance in Zimbabwe.