07 Jan 2025

Charles Kakomee-Tjeja has spent 13 years turning discarded materials into breath-taking works of art. 

What started as a childhood fascination with his father’s wood carving and metal-works has blossomed into a full-fledged career, establishing him as one of Botswana’s most innovative sculptors.

Kakomee-Tjeja’s journey, is fuelled by passion, perseverance, and innovation, which propelled him to dedicate his life to telling stories through his artistic expression. His work transcends traditional sculpture, reflecting both his personal identity and world around him.

He has channelled his energies towards capturing the essence of his culture, society, and the ever-evolving global landscape. 

His creative spark was ignited in his early childhood, largely due to the influence of his father, who was a skilled woodcarver, welder, and metal fabricator. 

As a young boy, Kakomee-Tjeja would often watch  his father work with raw materials and witnessing the magic of craftsmanship come to life.  

His father nurtured  Kakomee-Tjeja’s passion by making sure he was always at the front seat, watching the family craft unfold. This early exposure to art left an indelible mark on him, fostering an unspoken connection to the craft and shaping his artistic future.

The Kareng native officially began his artistic journey during his school years when he started mimicking his father’s wood carving techniques. His love for art only deepened as he pursued tertiary education at Molepolole Teaching College, where he earned a diploma in Secondary Education, studying both art and music. Although his career started as a teacher, his passion remained in the world of creativity. 

After several years of teaching, Kakomee-Tjeja took a brave decision to leave the classroom to become a full-time artist, a choice he said has changed his life and put him on the path to success in sculpture and various other art forms.

“The road to becoming a full-time artist has not been without its challenges. Financial constraints have been one of the biggest hurdles in turning my dreams into reality. However, I viewed these challenges as opportunities for growth and innovation. Instead of letting financial difficulties hinder my progression, I found ways to create high-quality sculptures using materials readily available in my immediate environment, such as scrap metals to create artefacts that enhance the beauty of Botswana landscapes,” he explains in an interview.

He emphasises the crucial role played by his family in his artistic journey through financial support offers during lean periods. Through resilience and creative thinking, Kakomee-Tjeja  has managed to not only survive but thrive, producing pieces of great beauty highly valued by collectors and art lovers alike.

He says his sculpture making process is as unique as the materials he uses. Specialising in scrap metal, he collects discarded pieces such as automotive scraps and turns them into intricate and meaningful works of art. Using arc welding as his primary technique, Kakomee-Tjeja  brings his imaginative concepts to life, often transforming seemingly useless objects into masterpieces.

For him, the art is more than just the physical work; but a reflection of his thoughts, community, and the society he is part of. With discarded waste materials in Kakomee-Tjeja’s hands, he creates sculptures that tell a story and mirrors the broader world.

“My dedication to my craft has not gone unnoticed. Over the years, I have earned numerous accolades for my sculptures. I participated in prestigious exhibitions, including The President’s Day competitions, where I won awards at both regional and national levels. The year 2024 was particularly fruitful, as I earned first-place finishes in multiple categories at the National Arts Festival competition in Gantsi, including sculpture, poetry, and photography. My work has also been featured in media outlets like DailyNews in Botswana and Namibia respectively and this has helped me to expand my reach and connect with a broader audience,” he notes.

Kakomee-Tjeja  has birthed two masterpieces that he highlighted as personal favourites and crowd favourites alike. The Camera Series is one of his most beloved creations, consisting of larger-than-life camera sculptures made from scrap metal and automotive pieces. The series explores today’s obsession with cameras and social media, reflecting a world where life is lived through lens. This thought provoking series has been particularly popular, selling multiple units and generating significant attention at exhibitions splashing him with recognitions.

His other notable works he pointed at a life-sized sculpture of a woman in traditional Herero/Mbandeuru attire, a piece that is both a tribute to his cultural heritage and a statement on Botswana’s diverse identity. 

Such piece he says, is a conversation starter at every exhibition and is sold in two separate locations; Sehithwa and Jwaneng. These works not only showcase his technical ability, but also his deep connection to his roots and his ability to address social themes through art.

As a full-time artist, Kakomee-Tjeja  has learned to navigate the delicate balance between creativity and commerce. 

While his sculptures are often large and heavy, limiting their appeal to tourists or potential buyers, he is adapting his approach. 

Recognising the market demand for smaller, more portable pieces, he has begun creating sculptures that cater for tourists and those seeking smaller works as souvenirs. 

He describes social media as a pivotal channel in promoting his work, helping him reach a wider audience and attract more clients. For Kakomee-Tjeja, the business of art is more than just making money but creating something of lasting value and ensuring that art speaks to people.

“I envision myself creating an amusement park filled with sculptures that tell stories and engage the public in innovative ways. My ambition also includes establishing a large-scale artistic movement that spans across Botswana’s major cities, bringing art to the forefront of public life whilst continuing to grow my presence both locally and internationally. I hope to inspire others and leave a lasting legacy that celebrates both my creativity and cultural heritage,” he says.

As Kakomee-Tjeja  reflects on his 13-year journey, he is filled with a sense of pride and gratitude. 

“I am living a purpose-led life,” he says. His work is not just about creating art, but about being an inspiration to others and leaving behind a legacy. 

He acknowledges that the path to becoming a successful artist has not been easy, but it has been incredibly rewarding. Kakomee-Tjeja’ s story is a testament to the power of persistence, passion, and the drive to make a difference in the world.

His ability to turn scrap metal into masterpieces and his dedication to creating art that reflects society’s complexities have earned him respect and admiration. With numerous accolades, a growing body of work, and a vision for the future. 

Aside from being an innovative sculptor he is also a performing actor, poet, photographer, comic book artist, production designer and a corporate emcee. 

As he continues to innovate and inspire, his legacy will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the art world and beyond. ENDS