Thabiso Enerst finds voice with new collection

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Sunday April 20, 2025 06:00

This is exactly the case for fine artist Thabiso Ernest, who is currently trying to regain his voice with a new art collection. The 29-year-old Thamaga native says that with this new collection, he is working on his next solo exhibition. In an interview with Arts&Culture, he explained that as an explorer, he decided to start something new. He says the idea required new media, which is not available in Botswana and the financial strain did not help. He said he found himself having creative block and then resorted to duplicating himself as there was no gestation of ideas. “This one idea keeps cannibalising new ideas in my mind. I believe this new idea and media will grow my work exponentially. I am an experimental artist. 'I explore different media and techniques. I range from pencil drawing to acrylic painting, sculpture, mixed media and leather painting. Being born with a talent is an inspiration in itself. One has to work hard to grow that skill and passion. I did basics at junior and senior secondary school, but everything I am currently doing is self-taught,” he said. Furthermore, he explained that in 2019, he lost his 17-year-old cousin, adding that losing someone young brought a new perspective to his life.

He added that death comes for people at any time. That is when he decided to fully choose art as a career and give it everything. He also said during the funeral he had a glorious idea to use hides of goats and sheep killed there. He said the same leather idea led him to win Thapong Young Artist of the Year award in 2020. However, he said having passion is both a blessing and a curse. He also said it provides individuals with happiness and identity. Ernest added that it gave individuals confidence and charm for one’s personality. On the opposite side, he said it would most probably birth depression and despair.

Moreover, he pointed out that people loved and appreciated his work, adding that they always encouraged him to continue working hard and to never give up. He further explained that the piece that won him the Thapong award, dubbed Control, was his most memorable one. It is a lion created on goat leather. He explained that it was memorable not only because of the award but because it represented the time when he started to take control of his life and found a lot of inspiration from a male lion. Having watched and learnt a lot about them on Nat Geo Wild (savage kingdom), he said he loved the tale of their very own legend Sekekama. “As an experimental artist, sometimes it is hard to find new media. But the biggest challenge I face is finding the right buyers who are willing and able to buy my work. My achievements include winning the Thapong Young Artist of the Year award, hosting Letsema Solo Art Exhibition and collaborating with the renowned Prince Tom, A fellow artist who is very talented and kind. He has an insane work ethic. A very inspirational journey indeed and the appreciation for him is immeasurable,” he said. Moreover, Ernest said he saw himself having collaborative and solo exhibitions abroad.

His advice to aspiring artists is that they should understand and make peace with the decision to choose art. He added that they must not give up being unique. He added that understanding and making peace with the decision would help with overcoming challenges during the hardships of the journey and business. He also said producing unique work helped with dealing with completion from artists with similar work. He added that people were attracted to new ideas in this modern day where everything keeps changing, saying art as a creative field should lead or at least match the growing interior architecture and design industry.