25 Jan 2017

A pen is known largely as a writing tool but to Omphile Sefako (21), it is more than that.

He used it in a unique way to communicate with the world through art.

Sefako discovered total joy in using a pen and with just an N20 ball pen, he could capture people’s lives and put it in a way that left admirers gasping for more.

“I live for art, I have always been doing this from a very young age and my parents told me that even before starting school I used to draw little pictures,” he said.

Sefako said his talent started attracting attention about 10 years ago when he was still at primary school when he started taking part in different art competitions.

He said it was then that his teachers encouraged him to continue with art.

Although art is what speaks to Sefako’s heart, he however stopped doing it when he finished school as he felt it was just a hobby that could not feed him, and he then enrolled at University of Botswana to read for a Degree in Telecommunication Systems.

“Taking a break from art was the worst decision I have ever made, each time I was at school I felt out of place and it was as if I have left something very sentimental to me and I decided to drop the course and continue with my craft,” he said.

He said his passion for computers then faded and his love of art grew. In 2015 Sefako then discovered how magical a pen can be.

“I have always wanted to be different from the rest of the pack and over the years I kept trying out new things.

That’s how I came to find myself drawing with a pen one day while sitting bored at the studio, and the rest is history,” he said.

Sefako explained that at first he did not take this new technique seriously until he saw the end results; breath-taking pictures which the darkness of the ink had transformed into a whole new level!

He said this got him so excited that he never looked back since then.

Although he is by far one of the youngest artists around, Sefako creates images so advanced for his age that one may be forgiven for thinking they have been produced by some digital equipment.

These images have been causing a stir in the art industry and he has been winning high level competitions, beating some seasoned artists.

“The first time I won was in 2015 at the President’s Art Competitions where I got position two taking home P8 000.

I later participated in the Thapong Artist of the Year competitions where I won P12 000 and the judges told me that I am a promising artist,” he added.

Sefako said life; a precious gift that needs to be nurtured is what inspires him, and each time he sees people of different walks of life he gets inspired to do a picture out of them.  “We all live different lives and I think what brings a smile to my face can equally do so to other people, and that is what I capture in my paintings.

He said he looks up to Wilson Ngoni who has been very instrumental in his growth as an artist.

He said he is following Ngoni’s footsteps  as he is the most respected artist locally and his work has managed to attract attention not only in Africa but the world over.

“Ngoni is my teacher and mentor, the energy he has when holding a brush is amazing and very captivating and it encourages me to aim higher,” he said.

Sefako further stated that he is also inspired by one Nigerian artist, called Oscar Ukonu who also uses ball pens to draw. “Its very important as a young artist to find inspiration in established artists’ work because they guide us as they have learnt all the secrets of art and ways of perfecting it,” he said. BOPA