Visual arts cover a broad spectrum, and as unique as they come they all have a way of fascinating the human eye. Today AVO magazine is pleased to share pleasentaries, relax and have a one on one with one of Botswana's amazing young artist whose art works speak louder and scream perfection and attention to details.
Martin Sefako is a 23 year old from Mahalapye, an Architecture student at the University of Botswana who is very passionate about art. Martin is based on hyper realism art, art which illuminates an object in its exact shape and form. When going through his drawing portraits, one can see the energy invested into making sure that all features in the art work are striking. He uses his pencil to show each and every detail, from the smile on the persons face, the hair as if falls off and emotions through the persons face. “People often compliment my work saying the drawings are so real that they look like photographs”, he said.
The very artistic young man said that hyper realistic art brings his art to life. “It makes people to relate more to my work and get the emotion and inspiration behind each potrait”, he siad. He believes that in that way its not only just art but rather a tool that can communicate to the souls of peopleand touch their hearts. A form of expression that carry meaning, that is fascinating and appealing.
“Drawing has always been a part of me” he said. The young man started drawing at a really young age. He useed art as a way of expressing himself, his fantasy imaginations and at times art was his way of escaping from his troubes. One can see the connection that art has on human life, to some its a form of expression, to some an imaginary friend who brings a smile to ones face, while to others use it as a means of healing and relaxation. Sefako says that currently what inspires him to come up with wonderful pieces is trends.
The young man work alone, although sometimes he gives upcoming artists the a platform to nurture their skills by givig them some of his clients to draw. He is a man who believes in sharing and mentoring those who look up to him. He does not give room for challenges as he takes them head on as they come. “I dont know if at all i can say that i have encountered challenges” he said. To Martin art is about putting effort and trying to perfect your skills in every art piece.
When asked about how he markets himself, Martin revealed that he uses social media platforms, mostly facebook bacause that is where he has ganed a lot of followers. He has a facebook page called “Art League Botswana”, where he shares some of his skills with fellow artists and people who have the desire to own their very own potraits. The young artist currently has a following of around sixty three thousand followers. “I beleive i can still reach more people”, he said.
Martins potraits are very affordable and worth every cent. For an A4 paper size potrait that is black and white he charges his customers 500 pula. For customers who would rather opt for a coloured and framed potrait, the price is only a whooping 600 pula charge. For those who would like to see themselves in a rather bigger picture frame, that is a black and white potrait in an A0 page size, the young artists charges a minimum amount of 8000 pula, and 9600 pula for a coloured one. The young artists art works are less than 10 000 pula, which gives individuls as well as companies an opportunity to get their lifes penciled into a master piece which they can refer to and critique in years to come, and even get the opportunity to pass it to the next generation.
Art has evolved over decades. From the famous Mona Lisa artwork by artist Leornardo Da’Vinci, the likes of Pablo Picasso and Vincent Van Gough. We have seen so much improvement with some of the art works stored in museums to date. When asked about his inspiration Martin stated that indeed he aknowleges the good works of these famous artist. “I dont see myself as the next Leornado Da Vinci”, he said. As much as i admire these great artists i dont like comparing myself to them. He says that art is not a field of comparison or grading oneself looking at the works of another. He beleives in creating his own legacy, at his own pace and in a unique manner.
When dealing with each and every profession, the mentorship ladder goes down from one hero in the field to another, an upcoming artist goes on to envy the artist at the top, and a young lawyer in the making still persuing his course will look up to one highly recognised lawyer whose already making strides in court. But for Martin, thats not the case. He noted that Hungani Ndlovu, who is one of South Africa’s big acts is his mentor when it comes to life and everything. He went on and on to explain how much he admires the man he is, his confidence in what he does has highly motivated him.“But if you wanted to know who i look up to in the art industry, then i would say its Heather Rooney, I really love her work, she really pours herself into every potrait she does,” he said.
For his last words Martine advises upcoming artists that they should never stop drawing no matter how imperfectly they may think their work is, that they should not stop at all because in art there is no room for perfection, and that perfection in art is not a destination but a journey.