Art With Martin Sefako
His name is Kaboyamodimo Martin Sefako, he’s a 23 year old Mahalapye native and he’s currently doing his final year at the University of Botswana where he studies Architecture. Martin is the third born in his family and he’s the only male child. According to him, growing up as the only male child in the family has contributed a lot to his love for art as most of the time he was alone while his sisters were playing together so he used that time to draw. He said in the interview that his love for art also influenced him to study Architecture because art is a pre-requisite for architecture. He started drawing from a tender age but actually started doing it as a business when he was at senior school. Martin also said his junior school teacher introduced him to the art industry and he usually brought him clients to draw.
He also supported his business by giving him drawing pencils, papers and other stationeries. In 2017 he created his Facebook page ‘Art in Martin Sefako’ which really contributed to the growth of his business and he has watched it grow through the years to where it is right now.
“My art has grown so much that it has received recognition from celebrities such as Pearl Thusi, Sho Madjozi, Hungani Ndlovu and it has even reached an international platform by getting recognition and praise from the American actress Taraji P. Henson,” he said.
Martin said that he usually gets compliments for his work, from international fans all over the world and this has so far helped his business as it has grown so much and it’s all because of the support he gets from his fans who share his work.
He usually does his work with charcoal pencils and Caran d’Ache Luminance colored pencils for the colored portraits as they are of really high quality. He said that he markets his business through social media platforms more especially on his Facebook page which has over 65k followers
Martin is not only an artist but also a full time student who has managed to fit art into his everyday school schedule. He has sold thousands copies of his work so much that he has lost a count on the number he has sold. He believes that this shows how Batswana are supportive of his business. He has client’s country wide and recently South Africans have also shown interest in his work. So far his achievements go from, best in art from form 1 to 5; Best Art student in Mahalapye-Shoshong junior schools in 2013 and 3rd Best student in Serowe region and he got 3rd place in 2018 Art competitions at the University of Botswana. “Art is my passion and somehow a part of me. It has always been there all my life and I seriously can’t imagine a life where I am not an artist. I am where I am today because I kept on perfecting my work and I am grateful to my family for the support they gave me,” he added.
Facebook: Art in Martin Sefako
Instagram: @sirdrawalot_
Twitter: @sirdrawalot_bw
Contacts: 73253930 / 75116148
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Duncan Sebeso