Matseba, the self-taught visual artist

GASEBALWE SERETSE
Staff Writer | Friday September 24, 2010 00:00

'I started recognising my talent when I was still at primary school because teachers always chose me over other children to make illustrations for them on the blackboard,' he said.

Although at that point in time he could see that he was gifted, he could not explore his talent because the subject was not offered at that level.

It was while doing his O'levels at Shashe Senior Secondary School that he started doing art as a subject.

Unfortunately for him, he could not pursue his studies further but that did not kill his passion for the visual arts.

Being outside the school set up, however, meant that he was unable to interact with other artists.

'I began to feel isolated as an artist and I started looking for other people who shared common interests with me,' he said adding that his search led him to the National Museum in 1993.

At the museum, he was introduced to Velias Ndaba who would later become the first coordinator of Thapong Visual Arts Centre.

Matseba then became a member of Thapong and that move proved helpful to him because he was able to participate in a number of workshops and exhibitions at the centre.

Today, the artist has grown so much that he has been able to sell his artworks to international art collectors who have exhibited his work in museums across the globe. He is also popular with local art collectors and government departments.

Matseba, who has done both abstract and realistic artworks, told Arts & Culture that the prices of his pieces are negotiable.

'I charge according to the amount of work done and I also consider the amount of materials that I use on the piece,' he said.

When Arts & Culture caught up with him at his studio at Thapong, the artist was busy working on his a portrait of President Ian Khama, which he hopes to present to him one day.

He was also working on a big painting that captures a traditional village scene. He hopes the work will capture the eye of one of his clients.

Matseba echoed the feeling of many artists that government officials who are responsible for promoting the arts do not have enough passion for their jobs.

'I think that most of the government officials are only interested in getting paid at the end of the month and do not care about the advancements of the arts,' he charged adding that government should keep the situation in check.

Matseba told Arts & Culture that he is determined to see art grow in the country and that he is willing to mentor up and coming artists.

'Parents who spot talent in their children should bring them here so that we mentor them,' he said adding that he is ready to negotiate charges with interested parents.

The artist names Velias Ndaba and Uhuru Kgope as some of the artists he greatly admires and wishes to emulate.