Ziki Kraai: Born an artist

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Staff Writer | Friday August 16, 2013 00:00

 

Ziki Kraai believes there is no failure in art and that an artist keeps on learning new skills as long as he or she is alive.Kraai learnt sculpting before he even started school.Today, the elderly man insists he is still learning and does not believe he will perfect his craft any time soon.'You cannot talk of an artist's 'best pieces' because an artist must be creative and innovative and there will always be something new to create. As long as you are living, you will keep on learning new methods, some of which have never been tried before,' he insists.  Kraai has been sculpting for almost his entire life.  In the early years, he would find time between running errands and school to mould clay cattle and other toys.

As he grew older, he advanced to carving wood.  What he did was normal for boys his age during those years, but he displayed a special talent in creating such art works.His real potential was discovered when he got to Moeding College where art was not part of the curriculum.  That was in 1967 and one of his teachers, the late former minister of education George Kgoroba, noticed there was something special about Kraai.'My teachers picked that up, but it was in fact Rre Kgoroba who came forward and helped me with art books that I could use to advance my skill.  At the time I would create things like Mosimane Wa Mmankadile. Art was not a subject then, it was just a hobby.  He encouraged me and soon I had gained confidence to work on various pieces,' Kraai told Art & Culture.After completing school he worked at a bank in Lobatse, but art was in him and he could not leave without creating.

During his spare time he continued creating art, but since he had not gone through any formal training, he needed someone who could help him advance his skill.A member of Botswana Visual Artist's Association (BOVAA) the only time Kraai received formal training in art was a few years ago when the Korean company that erected the Three Dikgosi statue at the Gaborone Central Business District (CBD) held a three- month workshop for local artists at Thapong Visual Arts Centre. He has also attended several short courses and workshops.Luckily, while stationed in Lobatse he bumped into two American teachers at the now defunct Lobatse College of Education who also played a big role in guiding his raw talent.  Today, Kraai continues to use wood to make objects of interest like interior decorations.He uses different colours to make his pieces more appealing but he says his main interest is in primary colours.

'Because I mostly do conceptual art. I prefer primary colours because they fit easily into any environment.  They are also the origins of colouring.  I also used red, which is a stable, mature and re-assuring colour.  Art is spiritual, there is no limit and the items one creates are influenced by the past, present and future,' he said. Because his craft relies on the natural resources available, Kraai says he is very conscious of the effects his activities might have on the environment.'When I pick these logs, I make sure I cut a little from various trees so they can keep on producing new logs for future use,' he said.Already Kraai has received two President's Day art competitions awards.  He insists, however, that it is not about competing against other artists, but working towards producing good pieces and learning more about the craft.