08 Jun 2021

As the world grapples with challenges such as unemployment, some unemployed youth, among them, Ronald Kegomoditswe, have decided find ways to make ends meet instead of wallowing in despair.

Kegomoditswe has found a niche in contemporary drawing and visual painting. His artworks range from commissioned portraits to mural works that are mostly abstract and semi-abstract and filled with vibrant coloured brushstrokes.

In an interview with BOPA, Kegomoditswe, who is affectionately known as Lolo  in the art circles, said failure to advance academically was a wake-up call for him to engage in a meaningful activity that would bring him the monetary benefit for survival.

He said he had been practicing art for seven years on a full-time basis and had sold his works to the government and private collectors locally and abroad, including the United Kingdom, United States of America, South Africa and Lesotho.

Kegomoditswe does not take for granted, the profits generated from sales since he has managed to fend for himself and his family.

The Selibe Phikwe-born and raised, said he had no post-secondary training in the visual arts and he relied on his passion for art and the theory he acquired at Junior Secondary School, saying this enabled him to keep rolling.

 “I started doing art at a tender age, drawing on the ground with my fingers. I took arts seriously when it was introduced to me as a subject at form 1 and I continued with it at senior secondary school. When the BGCSE results came out; I had done well in Art only, and since then I decided to capitalise on the talent,” he said.

He shared that being a member of Thapong Visual Arts had also helped him build up his career up to recognition, saying he worked collectively with other members and officials at the centre to build up concepts and bring them to a final product, further adding that he read a lot to broaden his mind.

The budding artist said while art was seasonal, he always strived to remain relevant and his works were informed by his immediate environment with concepts reflecting social, cultural, and traditional narratives.

One of his breathtaking works displayed at Thapong Visual Arts Centre is that of a painting titled Kgosigadi, (Queen mother), saying it was a dedication to her mother who raised her single-handedly and all her unconditional support and love he received from her, propelled him to unleash his talent and put it to good use.

“I wished to challenge the concept of ‘absent fathers’ and proved that one can excel under any given circumstances. I appreciate the support and all the hurdles that my mother dealt with striving to give me the best amidst the challenges of being a single parent,” he said.

Kegomoditswe also said the dedication to his mother also inspired him to build a legacy for his own children, creating a generational loop of ‘present father’. He already worked on a painting titled ‘Only then, will you be my son’ that he dedicated it to his four-year-old son, Letha Kegomoditswe.

Kegomoditswe said he participated in numerous group exhibitions including the 2021 Francistown Art Meeting Exhibition, the solo exhibition in 2016 named The Genesis. He also took another Solo exhibition last month named Motlhala Solo exhibition.

“These exhibitions have helped me to gain exposure and recognition, I have also won awards at President’s Day Regional awards in 2015 and 2016 and got position one and two respectively under the painting category,” he said.

He said sharing a stage with one of the country’s celebrated artists, Wilson Ngoni was a milestone achievement in enhancing his career.

Kegomoditswe pointed out that while COVID-19 pandemic had hit him hard, he appreciated the support he received from Thapong Visual Arts Centre, saying the frequent exhibitions and workshops organised by the officials gave him hope and direction to keep sailing amidst the challenges imposed by the pandemic. Ends