Mogapi�s art tugs at the heartstrings

Chippa Legodimo | Friday April 24, 2015 14:25

 

Marley’s words also ring true of art.  A good art piece tugs the observer right at their heartstrings without causing any pain.

Ironically, some people shed tears after listening to good music just like those with high artistic inclination would react to a great work of art.

Thapong Visual Art Centre artist, Ditshupo Mogapi, produces strikingly catchy art pieces that  draws in passers-by, tempting them to stop and admire their brilliance.

To Mogapi, a thin line separates art, story telling, music and poetry. In fact, when Arts & Culture visited him at Thapong he had just finished a beautiful piece of an African woman clad in a flowery dress and brown headgear.

“I have written a poem that accompanies that piece. Every painting has to tell a particular story that people can easily understand,” the 26-year-old told Arts & Culture.

Well, Mogapi has a very creative spirit as he combines fine art with photography and video shooting. Since he failed his form five the Ramotswa man never got any formal employment.

“I am driven by passion to create something different from everyone else. I sell paintings and shoot videos and pictures at weddings and other social events to earn a living. It does not give me much but I do not get discouraged because I love using my creativity,” he said.

He admits to his poor academic ability saying art was his best subject at school. Unfortunately it was not enough to earn him a place at tertiary level.  He, however, does not have any regrets and believes he was destined to end up earning a living through art.

The young man’s most expensive piece was a P19,000 piece he sold to the National Museum and Art Gallery a few years ago,0 while the smallest amount he has earned was P200 paid for an ‘A4’ portrait.

“No other person at home is an artist, but from junior secondary school I was excelling in art and that continued at Kagiso Senior Secondary School where I also got an ‘A’ in art,” the former Tlokweng Junior Secondary School student explained.

Realism art has always captivated Mogapi, but he admits it can be really challenging while it might look easy to an ordinary person.

“The most challenging thing is coming up with a unique idea because you do not want to end up doing what everybody has done. It is not as easy as some people might imagine, especially because you draw things that people are familiar with and it is easy for them to pick any little mistakes you make,” he said. Although his career is yet to blossom, Mogapi’s talent has been recognised beyond his studio.  He is a former winner of Thapong Young Artist of the Year.  Since snatching the prize, the young man says his confidence has grown and believes there is a lot improvement in his painting skills.

In recognition of his talent, Mogapi was among local artists chosen to paint murals at the Wildlife office along the Khama Crescent by the government enclave. He was also part of the team that painted the big murals at the silos near Grand Palm hotel in Block Five and lately the Maximum Security Prison at The Village.

Like many of his peers Mogapi said Batswana are still lacking in appreciating art. 

However, he is steadfast in his faith that the situation will change for the better with time. 

He also candidly dismissed suggestions that local artists overpriced their works.

“We attach prices according to the amount of work we put in. Do not worry.  People will come around eventually and appreciate that our works are far better than most of those imported pieces,” he said.