Born in Tonota, Tau grew up in a humble family and like many of his peers herded cattle and worked at the lands most of the time. While these chores were carried out of a sense of responsibility, it offered the young Tau a chance to discover and admire his surroundings. He would often watch in awe as the horizon steadily changed colours, from dawn to dusk. When he was old enough to hold a painting brush, Tau felt compelled to document all this."I did art at secondary school and one of the first paintings that I did was of the landscapes," Tau told Arts & Culture.
His paintings, which are currently on display at the Thapong Visual Arts Centre gallery, give the hall a touch of life in the rural areas.In one of the paintings, Tau meticulously depicts a scene near Gabane, on the way to Kumakwane, with three traditional mud houses standing a few metres apart, with a nearby hill hovering over the homesteads. Tau regards himself as a realistic painter and almost all his works are based on real life situations."When you look at this painting, you will recall the place along the Kumakwane road. I did it in an imaginary form, but it is based on features that are existent," Tau said. "I do paintings that people can easily relate to; something that they live. I grew up in a mud house like this," he added, pointing to one of the pieces.The Tonota man doubts he will change to another art form, other than realistic art.
