Graffiti artist driven by passion

Oleosi Kgosi | Friday June 16, 2017 16:20

 

Arts & Culture (A&C): Tell us about yourself?

Lentswe:

I am 22-years-old and pursuing my degree in Architecture at Limkokwing University.  I am an artist, I create artworks influenced by people in my surroundings including cartoons, movies and game characters.  I enjoy drawing more than anything because I always find myself in that state of mind, which I cannot explain in words.  All I know is it is where I can tell the most without using words.

 

A&C: When did you start drawing and why?

Lentswe: I started drawing back in 2014 after I completed my Form 5 and whilst I was still waiting for the results to be released. I always had passion for art, but I did not know much about it. The first artwork piece I made was a birthday present for a friend, I did not have funds to buy them a gift so I just decided to draw a portrait. I handed over the portrait and everyone was excited.  They praised my skills and ever since then my passion was uplifted and I decided to dwell more on art.

 

A&C: What inspired you to start drawing?

Lentswe: I appreciate how art has a hidden message behind every work because sometimes I would observe artworks from other local artists that I look up to and immediately would understand the message their art creations. Art is a mode of communication and only an artist can see through the message being transmitted and that’s how I got motivated to venture into drawing.

 

A&C: Where do you showcase your artworks?

Lentswe: I usually showcase my art on social media because I personally feel that it’s the best place for critics that can help me improve my work and most people use these social media.

 

A&C: What challenges do you come across as a drawing artist?

Lentswe: Mostly it is lack of art materials because honestly good quality art materials are expensive. Another problem is that people delay on paying for my artworks and sometimes do not pay at all.

 

A&C: How do you overcome such challenges?

Lentswe: My family greatly supports my work so sometimes they buy my pieces, but not as much as I would like. However, it is enough material to get me going. I have also received art material worth P600 from a design company called Pauchoco and they also buy my artworks. To overcome the issue of people failing to pay me, I usually make sure that the client pays a deposit upfront before I begin to work on their art piece and also I only hand over the artwork after the final payment is made.

 

A&C: How is the response and support from people concerning your artworks?

Lentswe: To be honest I’m blessed, I love the support I receive from my family as well as people on social media specially. People request for my drawings and circulate them around these platforms thus they are exposed to a larger audience.

 

A&C: What else do you do besides drawing?

Lentswe: Apart from drawing, I am a street dancer. To be specific I dance krump and I’m in a dance group known as Buckboiz dance crew led by Ditiro Kapeko. I usually host dance sessions and events under a movement commonly known as Beef Street.

 

A&C: What are your future plans as an artist?

Lentswe: I have a burning desire to own an art museum for artists around Botswana who are struggling to showcase their artworks, I want to give them a platform to display their drawings and making people understand the motives behind it. I want people in my country to appreciate artists and their drawings. I also wish to create an artist syndicate that will allow us to work as a system, imparting skills, ideas and experiences for the improvement of our artworks.

 

A&C: What advice can you give aspiring artists?

Lentswe: The best favour you can do for yourself as an artist is to believe in the creative inputs of your drawings because if you don’t believe in your art, how do you expect people to believe in you. Most importantly if better is possible then good is not enough therefore they should practice more often to improve on their work.