“I’ve been an artist all my life. I remember a time when my dad was broke while I was growing up, and he could no longer buy me toys. I soon started making my toys with wires, cables, wool, and plastic,” described Katleho.
Katleho Lesige was born and raised in Meloding Virginia and is now studying Textile and Styling at CUT in Bloemfontein.
In 2020, he created four artworks using materials inspired by his childhood. This year he created more artwork, using wool and plastic. “I want to give new meaning to everyday items, a new artistic and aesthetic meaning,” explained Katleho.
Most of Katleho’s work is inspired by moments of love and fear, works that show emotion, choices, and the truth.
He was announced as the second-place winner of the 2022 New Breed Art Competition for his artwork titled Surviving Lefatse.
Katleho’s winning artwork talks about Gender-based Violence (GBV), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the impact thereof on communities. The photograph that he entered for the 2022 New Breed Art competition is of Mamello who was burned by her ex-boyfriend over a small misunderstanding that could have been resolved by talking to each other.
“Because of this belief system, I have seen more moments of violence than love, more deaths than parties, and more funerals than weddings,” stated Katleho.
This image is a reflection of the imperfections of communities and their wrong thinking patterns.
“I believe we need more social workers, therapists, and councillors in our schools, jobs, communities, on TV, in radio conversations, etc. By having this, we can remove the trauma and fear just by having someone who listens, cares, loves, and give solutions.
LOVE IS THE ANSWER” – Katleho Lesige