A Minute With Opiyo
Tell us about yourself
My name is Opiyo “Foreign Skills” Lentswe, am currently a resident artist at Young Africa Botswana. I’m a self-taught artist who reflects emotion control through his work.
Tell us about your art business and the journey behind it.
My drawing business has been a challenging one I get more support from outside Botswana than locally it’s been 6 years since I have been drawing and honestly there has been a lot of doubts about myself but I thank God I’m still creating.
When did you start doing art, and what materials do you use to do your work?
In 2014 I started my first drawing for a friend as a birthday present since then I have invested in my art. For materials, I use permanent markers, acrylic paints, charcoal and pencil.
How is the business doing since you started?
Honestly locally I do not get much support as I get more approaches from people outside Botswana and it’s going well for me slowly but I’m doing the best I can.
How do you approach your customers – selling strategies you use?
Social media is one of the platforms I use most to approach my customers and art exhibitions help because customers are able to approach me and understand my work.
Is artwork your everyday work or there is something else you are doing for a living?
Art is my everyday work but I also have other skills, I have taught myself digital art, fixing laptops and dancing.
How many artworks have you sold so far?
I have sold at least 12 Artworks.
Share your achievements about your business since its inception e.g any awards you have received?
I attained an award as best active artist in 2017 from Pauchoco Designs Bw, Solo Art exhibition 2019, Art exhibition the day market 2020 and the winner of art in time competition art category America on the move 2020.
What do you call this type of art you are doing?
Abstract art with insanity as a recurring theme.
What is your business name and where is it located?
Foreign Skills Art, it’s located at Mogoditshane.
Duncan Sebeso 
Celebrity World 
Administrator