17 Feb 2015

He is a rare touch of artistry who uses hands to create magic with oil canvas and pastel.  Every detailed stroke tells a story, memory and a journey of a born free fine artist. Amolemo Nkwe of BOPA caught up with Wilson Ngoni to get to know more about his work and his upcoming exhibition titled Brush Exhibition scheduled for February 25 to March 15 at Nhabe museum in Maun.

Amo: Hi! Ngoni, how are you?

Ngoni: I am good young one, how are you?

Amo: Ecstatic dear, firstly tell us who is Wilson Ngoni?

Ngoni: My name is Wilson Ngoni, 36 years old Motswana artists painting/working and living in my home country Botswana.  

As much as I cannot remember when I started talking I can barely remember when I started painting but estimations go as back as 22 years now, almost two decades.

Amo: Wow that long? So what has inspired you to be a young Motswana interested in visual arts and painting?

Ngoni: My inspiration, encouragement and energies drew upon my life experiences, my environment, memories of my past life and childhood experiences.
It has been such a long and rugged road, tough and rough.

From Gabane CJSS, 1997-99, I moved to Moeding College, 2000-2001 and my art was faced by big academics complications. 

Where I had to paint at the same time attend school, leaving my art with little time.

Even though I did all subjects in school, I did not really like academics in the sense that they wanted to take me from my brush. I resented this and opted to stay away from school as much as possible, and then I had a chance to paint fully upon completion of my form five in 2001. 

I grabbed the opportunity with both hands and painted on without returning to or continuing with the academic stream.

In addition, having noticed my mind and my love for art, I decided to quit school and I looked at what my life desired. 

I learnt that I only needed paints, brushes and canvases to survive regardless of who said what. 

I took the risk and painted onwards.

Amo: That is the true spirit of passion for art, also besides visual arts what kind of art do you do and using which mediums?

Ngoni: The greatest achievement I have ever made in art is to discover that I’m talented as an artist. 

The spectrum of my work, I am a true painting spirit. For me to paint is to commit myself willingly and freely. 

I believe that inconsistent painting I shall gain strength that will afford me to understand the core of my artistic personality. 

As a genuine artist, my confidence rise from the awareness of my devotion to the search for the truth and beauty rather than the finding of it. 

Thus, being true to my own nature is the only security I have.

Each and every day to me is a lifetime. 

Every day I live; I learn more how to paint. I don’t ignore my creative ideas for I never know which one might be my best and last. 

I don’t neglect my imaginations as they come, for if I wait for later, later might never arrive.

Amo: Interesting! You are truly an inspiration Ngoni, tell us what else you do besides art?

Ngoni: Besides art I write, having recently self -published a memoir, Doors to my Eyes, which is a document in which I meritoriously shredded myself analytically for the curiosity of my art follower to enjoy.

Amo: So, you are man of many talents Ngoni? Altogether do you see the recognition of visual artists in Botswana?

Ngoni: Yes, art is starting to be recognised more these days possibly because of some of these campaign awareness we are doing for our art by representing Botswana art at the highest level as well as following art, as a full-time artist, though there is still a long way to go! More support is needed because there is more interest now; both local and international interest is growing in our art.

In addition, Batswana are making good complements and urging me to carry on, as well as helping upcoming artists. 

It is also upon us as artist to further it up, to push it harder to being more awareness to our trade especially by exhibiting more, inviting people to our exhibitions, and working very hard.

Amo: On that note, you have won several awards tell us more about these?

Ngoni: I have numerous art achievements, but I will just mention a few.

I was the Major Artist at the National Art-expo held at Riverwalk Mall, in Gaborone in 2009. In 2010, I gave a lecture on the Meleko Method with reference to the Endangered Species Series, a collection of paintings on HIV/AIDS to an audience of Grass Roots.

In 2011, during a state visit to Botswana, the Majesties King Carl XIV Gustaf and Queen Silvia of the Kingdom of Sweden were presented with one of my paintings- The Zebras by the State of Botswana.

Also, in 2011 the President of Malawi Dr Bingu Wa Mutarika was presented with one of my paintings- The Savuti Lions by the State of Botswana, during his state visit to Botswana.

Moreover, I was awarded Thapong Artist of The Year in October 2011 and I did a Solo exhibition at the National Museum in Gaborone, titled Son of the Brush.

Finally, in March 2014, I designed four stamps for Botswana Post. The stamps are in use and in circulation and also in 2014, I released a self-published autobiography: Doors to My Eyes.

Amo: Please, tell us about your upcoming exhibition in Maun.

Ngoni: My base studio is at Kopong in the Kweneng District, about 25 km from Gaborone. I am currently painting from Maun as I have an upcoming exhibition at Nhabe Museum, on February 25 to March 15 titled Wild Brush: The Maun Experience. All my paintings are oil on Canvas.
This exhibition is a solo exhibition organised by myself. Yet, I shall give a Maun artist space to show three or five artworks in my show so as to let him or her be noticed as well.
All those who wish to come to the exhibition during its duration are welcome. Again, people can see my work on Facebook: wilson ngoni.

Amo: Thank you, Ngoni, it was truly a blessing to talk to a man of your calibre and stature and may you continue to be an inspiration to many through your art.

Ngoni: Thank you, Amo.

ENDS