By: Onalenna Jantjie
Bophelo
Sephiri grew up in Masilabetsane village in Kuruman. Although he is an artist of note, he has
never gone to school to learn how to paint and draw. “I discovered my artistic talent in Std 4
during a social science period where my teacher had given us a task of writing
and illustrating with pictures. My
illustration was so perfect that I got 24/25,” he said. Before then he said he enjoyed tracing on
paper. “I would put a white paper on top of a picture I like and then trace
it. This developed into a real love affair
as Bophelo would sit and draw in the exam room after he had submitted his script.
“After we handed over our exam script we would be expected to sit and wait for
others to finish. So I would sit and
just draw,” he explained further stating that he likes drawing emotional
pictures as they tell a story with a deeper meaning." I also love landscapes as
they can give a person peace of mine. My
audience can actually experience peace of mind just by looking at the sunset. It
also gives clarity of mind. And that’s
what I hope people take from my art pieces. Although Bophelo is very talented, he hasn’t been
immune to challenges faced by his counterparts. ”It’s very hard to make money
as an artist if you are based in small towns because to some extend people in
Kuruman do not really appreciate art,” he said.
He has however managed to carve a niche in the community. “I have a
small client base that appreciates my art. Most of them have bought my art
pieces” he said. Despite the challenges, Bophelo says he prefers drawing on
canvas. “In most cases Canvas is expensive but a piece of art drawn on a canvas
cannot be easily destroyed unlike when you draw on paper,” says Bophelo. His
dream as he says is to own an art studio
in few years to come. “Maybe by then JTG people would have learned to
appreciate art and know that a piece of art says million words,” he said.
Contacts: 07 047 7788
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