MarkzowDavid on reshaping black culture context
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Sunday January 29, 2023 06:00
The Tutume native, who works predominantly in the medium of contemporary painting, drawing, sculpture and large signage installations in many instances, is acclaimed for brilliant use of knife, brush-painted portraits and landscapes.
In an interview with Arts & Culture, the multi-talented visual artist said he pursued his love for art upon completion of his high school in 2014. He added that his first exhibitions were showcased during Thapong Artists of The Year Award (TAYA) and the National Museum Gallery in 2015. “Through outstanding, often monotone and direct portraits, I engage in an intimate closeness with my subjects. The figures gaze with unwavering firmness as they look to the viewer with stern dispositions.
Typically isolated on single colour backgrounds, viewers have nowhere to look but at the subjects, leaving little room for misinterpretation. My living pictures are placed at a high recognition, both physically regarding their size and spiritually in terms of their grandeur,” he boasted. Furthermore, he said his aim was to target enlightened collectors and international galleries.
He added that he also aspired to travel abroad and showcase his work, which was not easy because as an artist he had to build primary market before reaching the secondary market. He also explained that his current masterpieces he is working on symbolise the beauty and the identity of African black women. He explained that the pieces show strong single backgrounds and monochromatic colours which boldly symbolise power, love, spirituality and integrity. He added that when he sees a black woman, he sees beauty and love.
He said African women made him imagine how strong his mother was. It also made him appreciate how she raised him making him the best version of himself. “I am really happy with the lovely response I get from my clients locally and internationally.
Even on my social media the love I am getting is beyond. At the moment it has been tough on the market since COVID-19 because before it was tourists who mostly supported us.
Locally it has been hard but I am very proud of Batswana who support our local artists with commissions of murals, portraits and many more.” “When I look deep into our art industry especially digital art, I see it promising because digital art is very popular here in Botswana. Batswana, local companies and even the government are very supportive. When you look around Botswana you will see that digital art is everywhere, for example on billboards, graphic advertising and many more,” MarkzowDavid said.
He, however, pointed out that when it comes to visual arts such as paintings, murals and sculptures, it was hard to see them displayed around. He explained that this was because the local community does not value art and were not educated on the importance of collecting art. Even though the youth understand art, he said they could not offer artists support because most of them are unemployed.
Moreover, he urged his fellow artists to try build secondary market by selling their work overseas and exhibiting their master pieces which would also boost their art career. As a promising artist, he said he was working hard to reside abroad because he sees success in art overseas.
MarkzowDavid said he was working overtime to see himself showcasing his work in big galleries and auctions in the next five years. His work and purchases can be viewed on various social media platforms under the name Markzow David Arts.