Maun based visual artist, Tshepho Lister Chikopo continues to excel the art-space and has arguably become one of the most respected artists.
The 30-year-old artist who specialises in drawings, paintings and canvas printings was born in Nlaphkwane village (in the North-East district) but grew up in Selebi Phikwe town before relocating to Maun where his passion is thriving.
Chikopo, an architect by profession completed his National Craft Certificate (NCC) at Selibe Phikwe Technical College (SPTECO) in the year 2014, and did his Diploma in Construction Engineering (Architecture) at Francistown College of Technical and Vocational Education, which he completed in 2016.
Speaking to The Weekender, Chikopo who began with pencil drawings narrated that his very first portrait was done back in 2012 when he made a drawing of his neighbor who wanted to encourage him in his career and also for him to develop his artistic skills.
However, Chikopo revealed that he became serious about his artwork back in 2020 during the first lockdown in the midst of the pandemic as he had ample time to nurture his passion.
“My favorite artwork that I created was a painting of the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Pono Moatlhodi as it put me on the map and I was then recognised countrywide,” he said.
He said that he has always been inspired by the likes of Wilson Ngoni and Ronald Kegomoditswe who are also visual artists. He added that his family and social media followers have also been very supportive of his work something which has highly inspired him to do better.
He later discovered that canvas printing is easier to work with as they have high quality, are less costly and less prone to deterioration, cracking, and insect damage.
Canvas is an extremely durable plain-woven fabric used for making tents, sails, backpacks, shelters, as well as in such fashion objects as handbags and shoes. It is also used as a support for oil painting as well.
Meanwhile Chikopo said that Maun provides a perfect base for marketing his products as tourists tend to buy artworks more.
“Canvas printing is what most people like as I get feedback from my clients, almost everyone looks forward to having my work on their walls,” he noted.
