Versatile Gaolaolwe envisions bigger missions
As his first and last names respectively suggest, Reason Gaolaolwe says he firmly feels the reason he is fulfilling his purpose for his existence by using art is to freely communicate everyday messages to the communities he lives in. Ironically, he also says his second name Gaolaolwe which means “one who is not submissive” has given him the freedom not to be confined to just one area of visual creativity.
This Orapa native, who is now a resident of Nnasaretha ward in Metsimotlhabe has since embarked on a creative journey of outdoor illustrations.
Gaolaolwe told Arts&Culture that this journey commenced following the completion of his Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) in 2019.
Born on October 28, 2002, the versatile artist did most of his schooling in Orapa, starting at Tawana Pre-School, Boteti House Primary School before enrolling at Orapa Secondary School.
He then proceeded to Letlhakane Senior Secondary School where he attained an A-Star pass mark for Art for his BGCSE.
Despite his remarkable potential and talent, Gaolalolwe says he has never received further training or been exposed to some form of professional mentoring or tutoring upon completion of his secondary education. “No, I was never exposed to any (training or mentoring), except that I was inspired by my elder brother Boikanyo Molebedi’s works who is also a good part-time artist,” Gaolaolwe said. Gaolaolwe’s works are remarkable and finely executed, reflecting his astuteness. Amongst notable works that Gaolaolwe has executed across the country are murals at Cranberry Pre-School and Day Care in Mogoditshane in August 2023, University of Toddlers in Tlokweng in September 2023, Livingstone of Merry in Mogoditshane in September 2023, Kasane Pre-School in October 2023 and Lesoma Pre-School in October 2023.
He uses various mediums for his wide-ranging works. For the murals on walls, he says he uses acrylic, watercolour on paper, pen and pencil on paper and oil on canvas. The versatile artist has also done sculpting, sign-post designs and paintings on kiosks salons and saloons. He creates impressive artworks that are not regular. Though Gaolaolwe’s work is mostly focused on illustrations and murals, it is not only limited to that art form as his diverse profile shows.
When asked how he affords the expensive art material and equipment since he is unemployed, the humble Gaolaolwe said: “Sometimes I do odd jobs like car panel-beating, signpost designs and t-shirt printing that have helped me raise quick funds for my art equipment”.
Gaolaolwe’s key mission is to become a professional through advanced academic qualification as he also looks forward to developing his works into electronic animations.
He says he is also working on enhancing his visibility in the market without just relying on his previous clients’ word of mouth. Therefore, he has also taken to social media to create a page named Dubecreatives. “Most of my previous clients have also assisted in promoting me by posting my works on their social media pages like Facebook and WhatsApp,” he noted.
When asked whether his clients give him briefs ahead of his assignments, the talented artist said: “Most of them look at my previous works through my portfolio and decide which ones are suitable for their places.”
Despite his clients’ preferences, most of whom are inclined to the conventional Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse characters, he says he’s since been on a drive to sketch and introduce more original caricatures that would be more relevant to the local environment. As part of his expansion plans, Gaolaolwe says he is currently negotiating office space at a business complex in his neighbourhood to set-up an art studio.