Maun to get intimate with Ronald’s artistry
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Sunday May 19, 2024 06:00
Although the exhibition will officially open on May 31, the artist said the show will run for a couple of weeks before it closes.
In an interview with Arts&Culture, he explained that this upcoming exhibition is a sequel to the previous exhibition he held last year in Maun called ’My Blue Is To Fly’, in which he wanted to delve into the multifaceted world of emotions and introspection. “Some pieces may evoke serenity, others a tempestuous turmoil, yet all aim to resonate with the viewer on an intimate level. My immediate environment with concepts that reflect our cultural, social and traditional narratives inspires me. I am also inspired by the desire to create, evoke and provoke emotions and tell stories which I fail to tell with words,’ he said.
Ronald further said his main focus was his love for blue and what it does to his paintings. He pointed out that all of his paintings had blue in them. He explained that blue represents a myriad of emotions, from tranquility and serenity to introspection and boundless freedom, adding that it served as a visual gateway to the depths of the human spirit inviting viewers to embark on an imaginative flight into their own emotions and dreams. Furthermore, he explained that art is a language that transcends words, enabling individuals to communicate and connect on a profound level.
He indicated that each stroke of the brush was a brushstroke of the soul, a reflection of his innermost thoughts and emotions. Through “Beyond My Blue,” he also said he hoped to ignite a spark of curiosity and contemplation within each viewer, encouraging them to embark on their own artistic voyage. “There is not much difference between this exhibition and the previous one except that I am approaching this one with a more mature pallet, brushes and mind. 'I am painting more for myself on this one. We are one big family as artists but our views and interpretations differ because of our backgrounds.
I have a shallow academic background so my ideas and approach are raw and not filtered with school knowledge,” he explained. Although Ronald is of the view that art is not much appreciated locally, he said creatives have to take it upon themselves to raise awareness and teach people about the importance of art. Ronald also said he has grown by exhibiting more, which helped to expose his work to both local and international audiences. He pointed out that he used to be an easy prey to exploitation because of a lack of knowledge of how the industry works.
However, that is now a thing of the past as he is reading and engaging the right people to help to broaden up his mind. Nonetheless, Ronald says late payment for commissioned work or sold art pieces continues to be a serious nightmare and crisis, especially by government departments, parastatals, cooperates and certain individuals. This, he said, messes up their cash flow and hampers the growth of their businesses. Ronald, who has achieved a milestone having been an artist for a decade says the upcoming show is also a build-up to another one in Gaborone.
“I am celebrating a decade as a full-time fine artist. My Maun solo exhibition is a warm-up for my major upcoming exhibition in Gaborone. I also have other opportunities to exhibit abroad. I am really humbled by the love that I receive from the public. 'They know that I am an artist and they treat me as one. They always encourage me to keep on going. I am really humbled and inspired by such gestures,” he ended.