LIFE IN FRANCE: Interview with artist Malebogo Molokoane
For Malebogo Molokoane, winning the ABSA l’Atelier Gerard Sekoto* prize in 2022 included incredible recognition, but also a trip to France in 2023. She stayed at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Montmartre for a 6-month residency. She is one of the first glass artists to ever win the prize!
Born in 1990 in Rustenburg, South Africa, she always had a fascination with art, especially the many facets it can be interpreted. This is evident in her own art, where she uses her practice to explore concealed faces and uses them to convey her message, such as by depicting skin layers similarly to geographical layers in the soil to peel away the layers to discover the old and a new start.
Malebogo studied Fine Art at Ruth Prowse School of Art in Cape Town. Her mentor and
post-grad lecturer, Caitlin Greenberg-Harrup at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in Pretoria, pushed her to enter. Despite some hiccups at first at uploading her images, she was chosen amongst over 2000 entries.
She says with her beautiful smile,
“Apart from owning my own art studio, I have always wanted to share my knowledge with the community to grow the art industry.”
The trip to France came with its own challenges, like discovering the public transport system and lack of English, but she learnt so much about art through the museums and network she formed, especially artists from all around the world.
“People were very surprised to hear I sculpt glass as my gift and passion. It’s very
demanding physically and mentally. They immediately associate glass art with stainless glass in France.”
Glass art is really tricky, you cannot really predict how your artworks turn out exactly.
The slightest addition in temperature or wrist movement can change everything…
When asked about the differences with South Africa:
“They kind of lack the uBuntu we have as a country. Everyone does their own thing… in their own little world… We are still interested in each other. The late sunsets in summer also confused me!”
Although the art residency stimulated her as a visual artist, it did not really contribute
enough as a glass artist. However, she was still part of a mapping festival produced and
directed by JBach Createur Audiovisuel and also African Week (Semaine Africaine), hosted by the Embassy of France and UNESCO.
When asked about French words she will never forget, her eyes glisten:
“Merci beaucoup… At first, I would laugh thinking they are calling my name, so it was easy not to forget since its similar to Malebogo!”
She is currently studying for her Master’s Degree and is an assistant-lecturer at TUT. Her solo exhibition begins on 8 February at the ABSA Art Gallery in Johannesburg. Her advice to those pursuing a career in art:
“Believe in your dreams, stay humbled and always work hard.”
Her interview with l’Institut Francais:
*Gerard Sekoto (1913 - 1993), was a South African artist and musician. He is recognised as a pioneer of urban black art and social realism. His work was exhibited in Paris, Stockholm,Venice, Washington, Senegal and, of course, South Africa.
Article: Vanessa Smeets