As a way of celebrating a decade of being a full-time fine artist, Ron De Artist has decided to host a solo art exhibition dubbed, Come And See My Blue.
The exhibition will be held on December 14, 2024 at the Musa’s Bristo in Village next to Jacks Gym. In an interview with Arts&Culture, he explained that 'Come and See My Blue' is a vibrant exploration of emotion and identity through the lens of colour. He said blue symbolises tranquillity and depth, weaving through his journey, reflecting the landscapes and narratives that shape their shared experiences. He added that the exhibition would capture the essence of 10 transformative years, blending tradition and innovation, and invited viewers to connect with the stories that resonate in every brush stroke. “The exhibition is inspired by the power of art and my desire to create and share my work with the world. My fans should expect a new body of work and 15 to 20 fresh pieces. There would not be any difference between this exhibition and the previous ones. It is a sequel to my two previous exhibitions, which were held in Maun at the Duck Cafe. This one will be held in Gaborone. I felt that I owe the metropolis the effect of Blue. The first was called My Blue is to Fly; the second was called Beyond My Blue. I will see where my Blue will take me after this one,” he said confidently.
Furthermore, he explained that he did not see any differences between him and other artists. He said instead he only saw similarities, saying maybe the only difference between artists is that some artists never lose their natural born entitlement to create. He added that some lost it, also stating that if they lost it, they were able to find it again while some never did but at the end of the day, they were all born artists. Moreover, Ron De Artist pointed out that he had a shallow academic background just like most of the local creatives, and had therefore learned to empower himself by reading a lot about art and other things that are not within the scope of his interests. He therefore pointed out that reading helped to broaden his mind saying it exposed him to other people’s way of thinking. However, just like his colleagues in the art industry, he pointed out that he faced some challenges which included late payments, which he said was a serious nightmare and a serious crisis. He explained that late payments messed with their cash flow and hampered the growth of their businesses. He also stated that most Batswana did not appreciate art.
He, however, pointed out that he took it upon himself to teach them about the importance of art. “This is my last exhibition of the year. I might take part in other shows that come up, otherwise I will be done. The love and support that I get from the public is amazing; they now know that I am an artist and I deserve to be treated and approached as one. They share, comment, and constructively criticise my work and they recommend me, which means a lot to me. It fuels up the desire in me to keep on keeping on. Mother K Masire curated my first solo exhibition in 2016 which was called The Genesis, which was the beginning of my artistic career,” said the artist. “I found it fit to engage her on this one too as I am celebrating a decade because she knows my humble beginnings and she has been mentoring me ever since. I also wanted to give the exhibition more weight by engaging her. The role of an exhibition curator is multifaceted and integral to the success of any art exhibition. They are not just organisers but storytellers, educators, and connectors. They bridge the gap between the art and its audience, creating an experience that is engaging, enlightening, and enriching,” he explained.