In an interview with Arts&Culture, Sebulelo explained that there were two types of ceramics. He said ceramics follow conventional methods of making ceramic crafts, while ceramic sculpture breaks those boundaries and explores the medium in a more artistic approach. He said he was inspired to do ceramic sculptures at a young age through the works of his great-grandmother. “She (Sebulelo’s grandmother) created amazing functional pots back in the day. "I was always spellbound not only by the end products of her labour but also by the very process with which she created these. I later did my fine arts degree with a major in ceramic sculpture at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in South Africa, in 2008.
For me, this was more like enhancing the skills I already acquired from my great-grandmother. I love art. My happiness comes from it. Producing artwork completes me. I feel connected to myself when I do art. Nothing beats that feeling of contentedness that comes with achievement in art,” he said. Furthermore, he pointed out that the public response was astounding and motivating. He explained that people love his artworks and talk very highly of them, particularly because they are different from the common ceramics they are used to. However, he said that was sad because they did not buy the works that much, despite the appreciation. He also said his favourite art piece was called Rhino.
He added that the work was about the endangered species, but upon closer inspection, the viewer would notice distinct features of a woman. He said he included these features as a metaphor that speaks to the fact that these days, women are subjected to inhuman treatments such as passion killings and gender-based violence (GBV) saying like the rhino, they are exposed to external threats. “There are numerous challenges that artists face in the country. I struggle with finding the market for my art pieces. Unlike digital arts and other two-dimensional arts that are easy to sell globally, sculptures are a little bit of a challenge. There is little art appreciation in Botswana, resulting in a lack of motivation to create works. Materials and equipment such as kilns are not easy to find, and very expensive to buy for a common artist.
There is a shortage of art galleries in the country, and as such, we as artists don’t have enough space to promote and sell our work to the local market,” Sebuelo stated. Speaking of his achievements, he said he won some awards like President Art competitions, Thapong Artist of the Year 2013, position two Thapong Artist of the Year Awards 2012, position one in ceramic category – 2011 Presidential Awards, Thapong Visual Arts Centre representative (15 June 2010) for Maun region, Presidential awards 2010 Judge (2010) Maun region, won position two in pottery - 2009 Presidential Awards, won Thapong Artist of the Year Awards 2013, position two Thapong Artist of the Year Awards 2012, position one in ceramic category – 2011 Presidential Awards, Presidential awards 2010 Judge (2010) Maun region, Won position two in pottery - 2009 Presidential Awards November 2012 – Thapong Artist of the Year Exhibition at Thapong Visual Art Centre.
He also exhibited at different events such as Okavango Artists Annual Members Exhibition, Judging Regional Presidential Awards Nhabe Museum Maun, Thapong Artist of the Year Exhibition at Thapong Visual Art Centre, Maun International Arts Festival Visual Exhibition and the Ceramic Abstractions, Impression Lines of Clay exhibition. Furthermore, he said he would like to exhibit his works at international platforms where there is a bigger appreciation of the arts, such as in South Africa and Europe. “I am an art teacher at Matsha College, in Kang, Botswana. I do my art during my spare time, especially in the evenings and during weekends to make sure it does not interfere with my full-time job. My advice to aspiring artists is to never give up on your dreams, regardless of the challenges you encounter. Perseverance is key to success. My designs are based on the traditional shapes and forms of the basket, the pot and the calabash/gourd. I combine traditional Botswana crafts with thought-provoking themes inspired by everyday life activities,” he said.
