Scientific curiosity meets creative expression
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Monday March 10, 2025 09:11
Nkape, whose artistic name is Color in Segoh, told Arts&Culture that each piece she makes is a study of form, structure, and life where scientific curiosity meets creative expression. She adds that through her art, she seeks to explore the delicate balance between the organic and the abstract, transforming biological concepts into visual storytelling. “My art revolves around a distinctly feminine touch, celebrating the strength, beauty, and depth of womanhood. Through my background in biology, I have come to appreciate the incredible capabilities of women, not just physically, but emotionally and intellectually. This understanding informs my work, in which I explore and highlight the elegance, resilience, and inner radiance of women. Each painting is a tribute to their essence, embracing both their power and grace through form, colour, and expression,” she explains.
Furthermore, she pointed out that her love for art was inspired by anime. She said with every character she connected with, she brought them to life in her sketchbook, capturing their essence and the stories they carry. Nkape adds that anime taught her that every character had depth, emotions, and a journey and therefore she translated that same storytelling into her art. Since words cannot always express what she feels, she said she paints her stories instead, letting each piece speak for itself. She also explains that she started drawing back in primary school just for fun, where she would draw cartoons and realised that she was actually good at it. So she took art as a subject in junior school to refine her skills and also took an art elective at university. Currently, Nkape is pursuing two of her passions simultaneously.
She says since she loves art and science, she does not see why she should choose one over the other. She explains that that is where the two meet, and the fact that she is good at both, in a way meant she could do both. As an emerging artist, she said the response to her work has been incredibly positive. “I have had the privilege of creating commissioned pieces for esteemed individuals who truly appreciated my artistry. Recently, I held a solo exhibition, and the turnout, along with the sales, reaffirmed that people not only admire my work but also connect with it on a deeper level. The feedback I have received so far has been encouraging, motivating me to continue sharing my vision with the world,” she proudly says. Speaking of her memorable art piece, she says it was the “Queen of Silence”. She describes her artwork as a statement piece of a lady with eyes that just say it all. Nkape says she (the woman in the painting) was silent but gave off fierceness and resilience. Moreover, one of her biggest challenges as an artist has been self-doubt, the fear that her work might not be good enough.
However, she says over time, she learned to embrace her unique artistic voice and recognise that her creativity has value in its way. “I have also come to understand that the art industry demands patience, especially as a female artist. Sometimes I struggle with that patience, but each experience teaches me resilience and strengthens my commitment to my craft. In the time I have been in the art industry, I achieved more than I ever imagined. I had the privilege of learning and having the best mentor in the field who has been encouraging me through my journey, collaborating and forming connections with incredible local artists,” she points out. So far, Nkape has exhibited her work at The Pans and successfully hosted her first solo exhibition. She explained that each milestone was a testament to her growth and passion for art. She adds that she foresees even greater achievements in the next years since she has a lot to offer to the world. Apart from art, she does research. She majored in Biology and Chemistry for her Bachelor’s degree so she associates herself with research in the field.