Motswetla finds new identity

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Sunday April 7, 2024 06:00

 

The Gaborone-based artist told Arts&Culture that her studio practices involve an exploration of her life experiences and interests. Those include, but are not limited to spreading awareness on mental health issues, emotional intelligence and a celebration of black beauty.

She further explained that her overall art is an interpretation of issues that are often vaguely discussed or not at all as they are considered sensitive. “In the past year, I experienced a shift in who I used to identify as and who I identify as now. My early 20s were dedicated to self-discovery and hence with each passing year, I learn more and more about myself.

I decided on a lifestyle change, dedication to recognise and manage my emotions and to be more intentional about the things I want.

These changes in my personal life have since directly impacted the art I create and the inspiration behind it,” she stated.

Furthermore, Motswetla stated that she now makes art not just for it to look conventionally appealing to the next person but to evoke emotion and start conversations. She added that she now creates art to show who she is. She said she made her art more sentimental such that when someone else sees it, they connect with an emotion she could not express in words but rather painted on canvas. She pointed out that her most recent work, 'The Monochrome Collection', expressed the above-mentioned and explored her new way of creating art with mixed media in black and white which has been making her excitedly look forward to her studio time. Motswetla also said she had always been an artist who prides herself in being versatile and spontaneous as she enjoys trying new things/ways of creating and taking up new challenges to enhance her skills and artistry.

She added that all this gave birth to her identity, as she constantly became experimental. She pointed out that to her, art would always be an outlet to express herself, adding that it is also a form of therapy, which she does not have to pay for. “If you had told me four years ago that I would be pursuing my passion for the art full-time, I would have had doubts about my abilities. 'I have since proven my doubts wrong. What started as a hobby sharing my little creations online because I was so proud of them, has since skyrocketed me to the stars. Batswana have welcomed me with open arms and are supporting my talent.

I will never take that for granted. I have the best online audience, an affirmative mother, family, friends and colleagues who have stayed by my side throughout my journey in the art field,” Motswetla added. Moreover, she said she markets herself mostly on her social media platforms saying the likes, comments, shares and overall online engagement from everyone did not go unnoticed as it opened doors for her and helped her broaden her horizons internationally. She, therefore, said she would always be thankful. She also said her most memorable piece was one titled, 'Khanga', which she created in 2019 for a group exhibition at Thapong Visual Arts Centre that helped her establish herself and become recognised as an artist in the local creative industry. In the last couple of years, the young woman achieved considerable milestones in her career that she will always cherish, from rental exhibitions at De Beers and BIHL, creating paintings for Forbes Africa and Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital, working with the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, and creating stamp designs for BotswanaPost.

She also sold her art internationally to the United States, Canada, and South Africa. She further stated that her expectations about where art would take her have been exceeded, which she thanks God everyday for. “ I do have a surprise for my online audience about what the next thing is for my art career. I look forward to taking them along on this new chapter I am about to embark on. My advice for aspiring artists is to take up space and own their work with dignity and pride, confidence is contagious. Show up for yourself and it will pay off eventually, it may not be overnight but when it does, you’ll look back with a smile and be glad you did it,” she said.