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."
