The apple does not fall far from the tree

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Friday June 28, 2013 00:00

 

While they may not have much to show for it, sculptor Joseph Piet has at least two accolades to prove his brilliance.'It's a family thing,' says the Presidential Arts awards aspirant.His latest piece is a carving of two pot lids and burning wood coal in between used to bake mapakiwa in the olden days.  The piece earned him second position in the regional presidential awards.'When I was in primary school, my mother used to cook mapakiwa to sell to her pupils at school.'So I was always helping her to prepare the fire,' explains the sculptor.He totes up by saying the piece reminds him of his hey-day.The dreadlocked artist won the National Youth Rally Crafting award in 2006. The following year he came third in the Botswana National Youth Service Visual Arts awards.

'I feel great about these awards because I have something to show for my achievements.  The awards serve as a reminder of my achievements. My kids will see them one day,' Piet says.Without a doubt, seeing his blacksmith grandfather make wooden doorframes and his mom inscribe diphafana had an impact on his career choice.'My mom used to engrave phafana - all that had an impact on me,' he says.He reveals a German from Pelagano Village in Gabane, only named as Taylor, would commission them and then take their work to Europe.'They never really took it like an art but when I look back now, I see it was creativity.'

However, his dad is now into farming.The proud Mosetedi tribesman, who hails from Kumakwane, is convinced his people have always been known for their creativity.'These people were very skillful in carpentry, tree planting and blacksmithing.  They could turn iron into a design they wanted.'The Basetedi, according to history, lived on growing fruit trees and vegetables.'They used some trees for timber, Monyena tree was used for making doors. Morukuru was used for door frames because the tree was not eaten by termites,' says the well-versed Piet.Piet has several giant-sized statues, but says he has since resorted to doing smaller ones.His feeling is that smaller pieces are bound to sell to individuals more than the jumbo statues.But he says their biggest challenge is the influx of imported cheap pieces.

'It's a bit of a challenge because we see cheap pieces everywhere.  I think they are brought in from Zimbabwe,' he says.The Kumakwane-born artist prefers fibreglass for his artworks.'I think fibre is better because it is lighter and does not rust like metal.  The catch is that I can also paint fibre glass with a bronze colour to give it a metallic gloss.' The artist kept referring to the Koreans who did the three Botswana chiefs' monument, saying he would love to take his art to such higher levels.He is, however, cognisant of the need to obtain a professional qualification in art.'I'm still trying to secure a scholarship because I did not go to school for arts,' says the ardent Gaborone United (GU) fan.

The man just has an affinity for teams that wear red.  In the England Premier League, he supports Liverpool, popularly known as the Reds just like his local side, GU.'That's my entertainment after working the whole day. I'm passionate about football,' says Piet.He says he has had so many people ask him whether he is related to NICO United star midfielder, Topo Piet. While he is clear they are not related, he is proud of the talented linkman's achievements in the game.He singles out Jackie Mothatego as his favourite player in the domestic league.The man, popularly referred to as Joe, adds that he used to be a top athlete at school and played 'a lot of street soccer'.Though born in Kumakwane he schooled in Gabane where his mother originates from.He is convinced local art is growing and challenges the administration of art to steer it to greater heights.He urges local artists to learn from the men who sculpted the Khama, Sechele and Batheon statues.

'The Koreans worked as a team and each contributed according to their abilities.  We should also be united and work together as local artists.'Of all his pieces, he has a personal attachment to the one of a man carrying a shovel and pickaxe. His explanation is that it inspires him to continue working hard despite any obstacles. Long gone Tuscan (Italy) Renaissance artist, sculptor, architect and poet, Michelangelo Buonarroti, continues to be his 'divine guidance'.In fact, he has a beautiful piece of a mother and a child.  It was modelled after one of the towering geniuse's works.Piet is not timid to single out Michelangelo as the world's greatest artist.'This guy was so creative - he was, in my opinion, the best.'Piet's favourite dish is pap and seswaa.US singer Peter Tosh stands out as his preferred musician as well as Gregory Isaacs. 'It gives me courage when I listen to these songs while working.' His advice to talented young artists is that they should get formal education to buttress their artistic abilities.With his eye-popping talent, Piet is sure to be the leading light of the arts in his family.