Passion drives young artist
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Friday June 23, 2017 14:26
The young man who hails from Mahalapye told Arts and Culture that he worked solely with paint (acrylic and oil), charcoal and graphite. He said working with different media has been exciting. He added that he was slowly falling in love with the different techniques, which have always existed in the art world. He said mastering those techniques will enable him to fully develop a style he could be identified with. He also explained that he uses art to express himself.
Mabua has exhibited his magnificent work in a number of arts exhibitions and his work was able to capture and captivate the audience. One of his beautiful pieces is a colourful sound of matlhoa (a traditional dance instrument worn by dancers). This masterpiece is an acrylic on canvas painting measuring 100 centimetres by 80 centimetres. The young man’s other talent is drawing people portraying different moods on the black and white cartridge papers.
He said he usually uses graphite based pencils for most of his portrait works on normal cartridge printer paper like A4s, A3s and A5s. He added that he also used charcoal on the same media too. For paintings, Mabua said he prefers to use acrylic because it is affordable. He said he also dabbled in oil and got his canvases from local art stores.
“Honestly, I started painting and drawing as a hobby but it eventually grew on me and now I practice art professionally. However, my inspiration always changes; one minute I am obsessed with Voka the next Caravaggio and the next Nelson Makamo. Practically, I would say my inspirations are always revolving. At the moment I am deep into the renaissance era so all the great masters before impressionism and post-impressionism are my source of inspiration for the kind of art I do,” he explained.
Mabua explained that he had always been a natural artist since a young age. He said he was taught art in primary school where he learnt the basics and developed some of his skills during his junior and senior school years. However, this young artist said after his senior school he never produced anything up until mid-2015. He said that was the time he decided to get his artistry talent out there, to connect with people in a visual and more powerful way.
“I have a certain technique I take on when working on portraits and it’s with it that makes me stand out amongst my peers,” he explained. The young artist said he is currently trying to familiarise himself with graphic designing.
Just like any other young artist in the country, Mabua pointed out that he also faces financial challenges. He added that one of the challenges he faces on regular basis was that sometimes people who wish to work with him or acquire his services never follow up with payment.
He said he tried to develop a scheme where one had to pay a deposit before he begins to do any work but it seemed like a lot of people were not willing to do so which leaves him with a lot of work he did not intend on creating in the first place.
“My only wish is for Batswana who appreciate and purchase works from artist to know that this is a service just like any other. For me to continue providing such good works I have to get paid so I can get materials and also pay bills,” he said firmly.
He also pointed out that the local art market was barely in existence because they did not have enough platforms they can use to sell their work. Mabua pointed out that there were few places where they can sell their art for the right and suitable prices. He also pointed out that they needed more support and patriots of arts to help grow the art market in Botswana.
He pointed out that social media serves as a platform that they currently use to sell their work because it is accessed buy a variety of people of different age groups. He also pointed out that social events like Chill Step Sunday’s and The Food Farm were also working hard to give them the necessary exposure.
“These are really good events as one can interact with artists and discuss their work further. As for culture, it is rapidly and increasingly becoming one of the things that we cannot ignore. The general public has gone back to appreciate culture and trends have surfaced everywhere, supporting and growing the market and therefore we as artists can take advantage of cultural events to sell our work to the public. It is up to us to ensure that the public associates our work with culture,” he said.
Mabua has not let challenges to demoralise him as he is also involved with a number of arts and culture and entertainment projects. He is one of the founders of BLVCKMVTTE, a company that works with creative artists to promote their products and art through collaborations. He said he has also touched on srt and video directing in local music videos like Boy Story by Marinade Buzae. He also created a drawn album or mix tape cover for a music video called Colour by DJ Decster, which is a collaborative effort with BLVCKMVTTE scheduled to be dropped soon.
“I would really like to teach art one day so I can help mould the creative minds of tomorrow. In terms of art I would love to be nationally and internationally known and be able to host outstanding exhibitions overseas. And lastly have a gallery where I can share not only my art but also art done locally. I would also like to advise young artists out there including myself not try to compare ourselves to any other artists because we are all unique and we all need to be remembered for something. Keep trying even when it seems hopeless,” he concluded.