In an interview with Arts&Culture, he explained that his first craft was a torch made from a Nokia phone battery and an empty bottle of a hair relaxer powered by a 5v DC adapter. “In a nutshell my art and craft is all about recycling, upcycling waste materials and turning them into masterpieces.
From childhood I had no inspiration, it was all passion. It was something I loved and enjoyed doing dearly until I reached my teenagehood era where I now got to see other creatives and it broadened my touch on what I was doing. It gave me inspiration and confidence and one of the creatives happened to be my father. He inspired me through his work (sic),” he explained. Selema further pointed out that his father was also a craftsman who made metal works such as trailers, donkey carts and many other crafts he has done. He said in that sense, he was inspired to start something of his own that he would enjoy making.
He then established Raluhkwoods. He added that from his skillset he acquired over the years, he never went to any formal institution for training or any vocational training but used the knowledge he acquired during his junior and senior school Design and Technology classes. Moreover, he pointed out that so far the public has shown great appreciation for his work and seems happy and impressed by his crafts. He added that many people have made inquiries about his work and where he is based, which reflects great admiration for his work. He said he was determined to deliver and meet his customers’ needs and expectations.
He explained that he wanted to bridge the gap between the imports and exports of crafts. On other matters, he explained that his most memorable art piece was the Zebra floating bed frame which he made in December for a couple. He added that he chose that piece because it gave him the platform and opportunity to exert his artistic mind to the optimal and ability to try new skills and knowledge he acquired and implemented them effortlessly. “My challenges as a creative sometimes can be dealing with my customers because not all of them understand some concepts about woodwork and I have to have the patience of explaining or restarting a project because they did not like something on the previous one. Most but the least challenge I have or encounter on a daily basis is the exposure to harsh weather conditions while I am working, since I am doing my work behind my rented house there isn’t any shading or proper storage and this hinders me from getting more machinery or to even have ready-made pieces and more especially during rainy seasons I tend to have nothing to do but to wait on the rain to wear off,” he said.
Selema cited the opportunity to work with other creatives and local brands and get the exposure needed for his business as major boosts for his trade. Such brands were people like Gonna Elvis, justginger, BMS and many others. His ambition is to see Raluhkwoods penetrating the market and establishing itself as one of the best businesses. He highlighted that his other ambition is to establish something sustainable and assemble a great team of young artists allowing them to be great craftsmen and be able to support their families. Apart from being a craftsman, Selema also works at Hilton Garden Inn as a guest service agent, a self-sponsoring third-year student doing occupational health and safety. “I always manage my time and spread myself through these obligations by taking gap years for school and after work I attend to my craftsmanship business,” he ended.
