FOX ART SHOWCASES ENCHANTING TALENT
Kealeboga Lephalo creates intricate and mesmerising art pieces that reek ingenuity. He undoubtedly possesses the Midas touch. His attention to detail and eye for colour, form and essence are visually appealing, and makes his work stand out and linger in the mind.
He recently told Vibe in an interview that art opens his mind to new and compelling ideas. “Art enriches my soul and provides inspiration for future ventures. I want my art to reshape people’s perception about art and make them appreciate artistry,” he said.
Lephalo said art has always been part of Batswana’s culture. “Our culture and history have always entailed art as a basis for self-expression as seen in our maboko, go dila/kgapha mo matlong a Setswana, and the historic Tsodilo Hills rock paintings,” he said.
Lephalo, popularly known as Fox, or Fokona to others, hails from
Matsiloje, but was born in Francistown and raised in Maun. He went to Ngamiland Christian Academy, and that is where his love for art was instilled, he said. “My music teacher Pat Lackey, who was also my mentor, discovered and helped me nurture my art talent and I started taking lessons,” he said. He noted that the multi-cultural environment of Main was where he would draw his inspiration. “From the colourful Herero dresses to the patterns on the baskets made out of reeds, to the Okavango Delata, there was an abundance of inspiration for my art.”
Lephalo uses different mediums including pencil, pen markers, pastel to oil and acrylic paints, and is always experimenting. “I recently discovered a new medium, coffee, and I love it because it gives a rich tone to paintings,” he said.
His work is amazing but he concedes that there are challenges that come with being a visual artist. “Firstly, the cost of material is steep and this makes it difficult to acquire most of the stuff I need to complete my artworks. I have actually resorted to making my own art canvases to curb the costs. Another challenge is that of customers not paying for the work
I have done – I have a lot of complete commissions pieces that are still lying around due to non-payment of customers,” he said. His biggest customers were tourists but now with travel restrictions, his art business has been badly affected, which forced him to take to social media to sell his work, and expose him to a new audience. “Apart from appreciation on social media, I have also had the chance to showcase at The Trib initiation, which is an event that gives artists a chance to network and exhibit their artwork.” To view more of his artworks follow Instagram and Facebook: Fox Draws.