07 Mar 2016

In the digital age of the ‘selfie’, when the portrait image maintain its unparalleled power to inform, to shock and, at times, to delight, portrait art has effectively played its primary role as a piece of drawing that can effectively depict a picture of a single person or group of people, portraying their most real mood and emotion.

This exciting piece of art has grown tremendously over the past few years in our country. 

Right from the talent of the artist, sponsors who support the artists to customers who pay/buy what is on offer, young Batswana are starting to embrace and concur that the creative arts industry could be one’s legacy.

One such fella is Phenyo  Motawana. He embodies your rare all-round type of artist. 

The young man is in his early twenties and prides himself as being a mastermind behind hard core practicalities of portrait art. 

“I have always been an artist since those days when we played mantlwane and it has been a passion of mine ever since,” he said with a chuckle. 

Phenyo’s passion for art increased as he scooped a second position during an exhibition for Junior Schools Competitions.

Later on he got used to the game and participated in several other exhibitions winning prizes of all sorts. 

He kept on moving forward with his career, and started portrait drawings after finishing his senior school education. 

He is currently working toward giving the 2016 entrants of the President’s Day Competitions a run for their money.  Phenyo is also aiming to register with Thapong Visual Art Centre, a move that will help him promote and market his work, especially that he is looking for a mentor in the industry. 

Phenyo believes that having a mentor will help nurture his talent and help him grasp a better understanding of the industry. 

Although he does not have any work displayed at Thapong Visual Art Centre yet, he has had his artwork displayed at various events in the village. 

He has a Facebook page he manages with a group of friends who share the same passion. 

They use the page to promote their work by uploading pictures of finished projects.

A peep into Phenyo’s bedroom reveals stacks of portrait drawings and paintings that dot every wall of the tiny bedroom reminding one of the adage that says ‘life imitates art’. 

Throughout his artwork, you’ll stay inspired by the breath-taking images included of the controversial & prominent politicians, famous celebrities-Muamar Gadhafi, Osama Bin-Laden, Barack Obama, Jacob Zuma, Lt Seretse Khama Ian Khama, Tiger Woods, Jay-Z and many more. 

Some of these best portraits involve the most authentic portray of human emotion and expression.

Phenyo has mastered how to make a meaningful portrait on his customers’ budget and schedule, which could sometimes be 15 minutes or less. 

Phenyo reveals his tips on telling a great story through portraiture, depicting emotion and gestures. “Drawing upon the best lessons I’ve learned over the past few years drawing portraits of the rich and famous,” says Phenyo.

His work defines and serves the art of the photo portrait. 

Any portrait drawer who has digested ‘Secrets of Great Portrait Art’ will be sure to wield his or her power with knowledge and judgement.” “

“For Phenyo, pictures don’t just tell stories; they are stories…go behind the pencil to show how a nimble and versatile drawer creates memorable portraits — by trusting in the power of faces, shading, story, and relationships.”

 The photographs are big and plentiful. The drawings are conversational and engaging. 

You won’t have to go across Phenyo’s artwork to understand what he is sharing. 

His use of bold colours, intriguing shading, and unique drawing techniques is what ultimately helped his work gain exposure.

Quizzed about the arts industry in Botswana and whether they are getting the necessary support as artists, Phenyo said he would like to see more corporate entities joining the bandwagon and investing in the arts. Ends