Moilwa: nature�s envoy

Spira Tlhankane | Friday April 29, 2016 13:35

 

For a person who loves looking at beautiful landscape photography through his lens, Karabo Moilwa started his art nine years ago after coming across his uncle’s camera.

“My uncle was an art teacher and photographer and he used to lend me his camera and I took few pictures,” he recalled.

Speaking to Arts and Culture, Moilwa said when he moved to Sowa Town, he fell in love with the environment after he was introduced to another camera and started taking pictures again.

“In 2012 I took part in the President’s Day celebrations awards and won a prize,” he recalled. Moilwa said he was inspired and it motivated him to pursue the discovered talent.

“A lot of people are not keen on nature and wildlife photography,” he said. “That’s when I started following landscape photography, especially that I was in an area endowed with relevant scenery.”

Since then, Moilwa has been taking part incompetitions and his artworks made it to the national stage. He used the first cheque he won during a competition to buy more equipment. “I believe that one day I will succeed,” he said. Moilwa said as a resident artist at Thapong Visual arts, he submits his work for exhibitions.

He recalled a moment when he gave one of his artworks to President Khama during the latter’s visit to Sowa.

 “I approached the management of Botswana Ash outlining my interest in donating the gift to the President and my request was granted. I was even asked to hand it over to President Khama,” he said. Moilwa said it was an honour because his motivation was born out of the President’s Day celebrations awards. Moilwa said he exhibits most of his photos but the intention is to make stock photography one day. He said it is sad because Batswana are not interested in art of landscape photography. “They always want to buy art at a low price and not appreciating the value of the artwork,” he said.

“When I take a photo of Makgadikgadi, it’s more like taking the scenery to someone who has never been there, so that is priceless,” he said. He said he networks with other artists to improve.

“I put my work in Botswana Photography group and that is where I get my feedback,” he said, adding that nature inspires his photography because it is interesting.

Moilwa said unlike studio work, working there was less work in nature photography as it depends on the sun for lighting. “Nature comes as it is, you don’t have to edit anything,” he said. He said he hoped to start birdlife photography soon because Sowa was teeming with flamingos.

He indicated his biggest challenge is lack of proper equipment. He said pricing depends on the customer and his photos are printed on canvas.

“But I will raise money for my artworks and buy high class equipment,” he said. As an artist who has capability, Moilwa can represent the area he is living in. “I consider myself as an ambassador of Makgadikgadi area,” he said. He believes photographers are ambassadors because they constantly relay messages to the world in pictures.

He said Batswana should develop a love for their environment. “Youth should be ambassadors of their own scenery,” he said.

Moilwa said he wants to grow his craft to an international level. He said his dream is to see his work displayed at embassies worldwide.