05 Sep 2013

Uhuru Kgope is an exceptional artist. His artworks are eye catching and different. They are colorful and unique. 

In his more than 10 years in the industry, Uhuru has managed to set himself apart from other conventional artists by constantly toying with new ideas and concepts in an endless endeavour to break boundaries and exceed the usual.  It is this passion for unconventional art that saw him emerging as arguably the best artist to ever come out of this country. 

His passion for art grew at a very young age, and he was already exhibiting his artworks at the national museum while still a student at Gaborone Secondary School.  Uhuru won the President’s Day competitions in 2008 and 2009.  He is also a recipient of the 2009 Thapong artist of the year award. 

“All this was due to my love for art. I get great satisfaction from the whole process of conceptualizing an idea and processing it into a final product that appeals and speaks to its audience,” he said.

This inbuilt sense of innovation is once again challenging Uhuru to reinvent himself as an artist. He has now embraced a new concept called stenciling, which he learnt while a resident artist at Greatmore studios in Capetown. With stenciling, Uhuru will use conventional material like manila paper, cut it and use spray to produce a final eye catching product.

“Stenciling is a unique technique and I experiment with bright colors to depict how people express themselves with flair,” he said. Uhuru said he is trying to move away from conventional paintings that depict old time stories of the cattle posts, farms and wildlife, to present day way of life and all the challenges that come with it. 

He said he draws more satisfaction from the art experience than from the monetary rewards that come with it. But the artist does make money from his paintings. 

He has produced many paintings that he sold for as much as P44 000. “My art works will speak for me long after I am gone. I want to leave a legacy that the younger generation will want to follow. I want to be remembered forever,” said Uhuru.

He further urged local artists to think outside the box and embrace new concepts. ENDS