Local artist’s work displayed as mural at Newtown Junction
“A percentage of my art income goes toward feeding homeless people, so my job is not just for myself, but also for others who have lost hope.”
Drawing and painting have long been at the centre of Naledi Moleko’s (21) being.
Moleko has been a working artist since 2015, when she was introduced to the art scene in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
“When I was in Grade Three, I began to demonstrate an interest in art. However, in 2013, I learned the extent of my passion for art and decided in 2014 that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. In 2015, I enrolled at the National School of the Arts in Braamfontein and graduated in 2017. Later, I enrolled at Cape Town’s Ruth Prowse School of Arts.
“On February 14, 2019, Mayor Mzwandile Masina acknowledged me as a young philanthropist. I was named one of Ekurhuleni’s 100 Shining Stars for exceptional community service. A percentage of my art income goes toward feeding homeless people, so my job is not just for myself, but also for others who have lost hope.
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“I am an artist that enjoys experimenting with various techniques and mixing them if necessary, but if I had to choose, I would go with gouache paint. I used gouache throughout high school and have been in love with it ever since. It is the best for creating a firm but smooth texture and it also acts as a watercolour paint, making it easier to manipulate than any other paint.
“The majority of the galleries I’ve worked with have been through my prior art school. Their goal was to introduce us to the sector in every manner they could. I’ve been sending my art profile and statement to many galleries since then, and I aim to one day be accepted into one of the world’s most prestigious galleries and museums. I post some of my work on my social media pages. My customers also help in spreading the word.
“I get inspiration from everything that makes me think of art. My desire to study and passion to educate serve as sources of motivation for me. Other forms of art, from nature to art created by departed and existing artists, old and new artists, inspire me as well. My artworks are usually centred on raising awareness or emphasising social, economic, medical, societal and mental issues.
“My research methods include, but are not limited to, Google (medical sites, artists blogs, YouTube, political sites, news sites), watching news channels and keeping up with various documentaries. My other method has me acting as a ‘journalist’ on the streets, where I enlist the help of strangers by soliciting their opinions on various social and medical issues. Because my art is for the people and is meant to communicate with them, I make it a point to include their feelings so they can relate more easily.
“My advice to those who want to be in my shoes is research, research, research. I’m afraid I’m out of options. Because of their elders’ perspective of how they were raised, our age is in the dark when it comes to the ins and outs of the art world. Our parents often don’t understand why we want to do what we want to do because they don’t know much about the art industry. It is up to us to educate ourselves about the industry by doing research so we can educate our parents and make them understand. Also, keep in mind that art encompasses more than just sketching, painting and sculpting; there are additional elements to consider. You must be patient, open-minded, business-minded, knowledgeable about the industry and, most importantly, you must have the passion to stay constant and simply enjoy art,” said Moleko.
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