Jun 2024 – Aug 2024
Maseru, Lesotho
Sekantši Mokhohlane is a visual artist whose specialism is digital illustration. Originally from Maseru, Lesotho, he is mostly self taught and now produces comic books on a full time basis for his own projects and also for clients.
AGN; As a digital illustrator, you are mostly self taught. What pointers are you able to provide for others who may wish to follow a similar path?
SM; Hard work and willingness to learn. Hard work beats talent every time when talent doesn’t work hard. Perseverance is also vital because you’re bound to make mistakes but you must persevere if you want to develop skills that make you competitive.
AGN; In view of your response to the above question, are there any pitfalls you would suggest they look out for?
SM; Don’t let compliments go to your head because that will trick you into thinking you have reached your artistic peak sooner than you have. Don’t be reluctant to invest in your art either. Buy that software, drawing tablet and/or download those youtube tutorials.
AGN; Why did you specialise in digital illustration as opposed to other artistic disciplines?
SM; I’ve always preferred the look of digital art. As my skills developed, I also realised that there are certain things that cannot be done with traditional art as easily as with digital art. For example, correcting mistakes.
AGN; You have revealed that your “long term goal is to get into animation and concept art for video games”. When do you see yourself actualising this and what needs to happen in order for you to do so?
SM; I envisage doing this in around 2 to 3 years. I’ve already started looking for schools and hope that by next year I will be enrolled. The course is likely to take a maximum of a year to complete with a further 1 to 2 years to develop/consolidate my knowledge and skills.
AGN; In terms of digital illustration, how does the scene compare now in comparison to when you first started out over 5 years ago?
SM; To be honest the only thing that seems to have caused any waves has been the introduction of AI art. Some artists have been quite concerned about it but I don’t think it’s at the level yet that warrants any significant concern from most artists.
AGN; Comics are the sort of thing many know about but are not necessarily into. They tend to be a niche pursuit. What can you tell us about the world of comics in Lesotho/Southern Africa in general?
SM; That’s true. In Lesotho there is very little appreciation for art. At Least in terms of recreationally. I am not knowledgeable enough about what is happening in Southern Africa to provide an informed opinion.
AGN; You collaborated with others to produce your first comic book in 2018, how did that all pan out and what key lessons did you learn from doing so?
SM; It was called Kshyzo and making it was a very long and difficult process as none of us had ever produced a comic book before. We managed to sell all of our copies in around 4 months though which was great but made almost no profit.
Comic books are expensive and time consuming to make, even when you are the artist. A good long term financial strategy is to get into merchandising, video games or even TV shows for your comic book. Our comic book venture ended after one issue though and the team all went their separate ways.
AGN; Producing comic books is now your bread and butter. The continent is now blessed with many indigenous comic books to choose from. Is there a particular comic that captivated you while you were growing up and if so, what did you find special about it?
SM; In Africa I actually was quite into Supa Strikaz, a South African comic book which now has a TV show. Worldwide, I have always loved X-Men and Batman because while the art was cool, I loved the human story they were telling.
AGN; Comic Con is a very big deal and it is a global affair. Last year you were on an artists panel at Comic Con South Africa. How did that come about and how did being invited make you feel?
SM; I am working with a South African company called Coalsack as their lead artist. The directors managed to secure a spot on that artist panel so by extension, I was featured as well. It was a surreal feeling as I had never even been to a Comic Con. I will always be grateful for that experience.
AGN; Which artists from Africa that are in your field or visual arts in general inspire you and what is it about them and/or their work that does so?
SM; I am greatly inspired by the African artists I follow on Instagram who make the same type of art. I am specifically inspired by Loyiso Mkhize, the artist behind Kwezi comic book as he managed to market the book very well and it is on sale in most of South Africa now as well as Lesotho.
AGN; Outside of work, what interests and hobbies do you have?
SM; My interests include listening to and making music. I also love playing video games which actually greatly influence the type of art that I make.
AGN; Are there any causes you are passionate about which you seek to do your bit to address?
SM; My loyalty is to Lesotho and changing the narrative surrounding what a Mosotho artist is or can be. Digital art is a discipline that very few practise here.
AGN; In terms of your values, character and the very essence of your person, what type of man would you say Sekantši Mokhohlane is?
SM; My values align with the Christian faith I was raised in. This is reflected in my work and the choices I make. Perhaps also, as a consequence of getting older, I am becoming more conservative. I am less inclined to work on projects that contain things counter to my values just for the sake of it.
I want people to remember me as someone who is sincere, hard-working and realistic. This is what I always strive for.
AGN; Do you have any concluding remarks to make?
SM; I would love to contribute to the art of the African continent, particularly the art in Lesotho. I believe digital art is the future of art and has shown that it can influence pop culture with comic books that are turned into movies.
I want to do my part in making sure that we, as Africans, are not left behind.
Previous ‘Arts View’ interviews are available here; archive
Editor:
Ri Iyovwaye
© 2024 All rights reserved
on behalf of African Global Networks (AGN) – Jun 2024