An unexpected dabble in art weaves a path of purpose
Lucas Matjie reluctantly started weaving while assisting his brother but soon enough he found his own artistic path
While driving along Hendrik Potgieter Road in Ruimsig, you may notice intricate bird feeders and impressive life-size sculptures at the side of the road. The creations are those of two brothers – Lucas Matjie weaves the nests and Morake Matjie makes the clay sculptures.
Both grew up in artistic families but Lucas said he has always been drawn to construction. He used to be a contractor for Joburg Water and when work became scarce, he decided to help his brother. Soon enough he was making bird nests.
“I picked up a bit of weaving at home in Graskop but the real artist is my brother. I used to be employed but when I couldn’t find permanent work a few people advised me to work with my brother and walk this road with him.”
Lucas said when he was living in Kempton Park, he noticed bird feeders that had been made out of grass. “I looked at it and thought ‘but I can do this’.” He started learning how to weave bird feeders and other objects such as big rondavels, cat houses as well as holdings for ancestral practices.
“It took me about eight months to learn how to make all these things. I was beginning to lose hope but my brother showed me and helped me. I would undo everything and try again. After about 11 months, while we were working in Northcliff, I completed a bird feeder to perfection.
“I could start weaving a big bird feeder at 7:00 but it will get done at around 15:30 or 16:00. The roofs take longer to complete. It’s better to make them first or ahead of time. It could take me a day to make one and a half.
“Being here, my heart is always with my work and being able to look out for my brother and his sales as well.”
Lucas’ presence allows his brother to transport his clay sculptures to different art centres and deliver orders. They work together to ensure there is always someone present on the side of the road. He said getting the grass he uses is rather difficult in winter because of veld fires.
“I really forced myself to take up these skills because of unemployment and wanting to assist my brother. But maybe if I hadn’t forced it, you wouldn’t know about us or people like us.”
Matjie admitted that at first he was uncertain whether people would buy his bird feeders, but he has had customers return to buy them for other people and even recommended him to friends. “Luckily people like the feeders and it brings me joy because I can see that this is the path for me.”
