Three of the 2022 New Breed Art Competition winners are students at Motheo TVET College. Keabetswe Mosethle, the Overall winner and People’s Choice award winner, Kamohelo Sebonyane, a Merit award winner, and Kwandiwa Dlwati, also a Merit award winner.
“For the Visual Art and Design Faculty of Motheo TVET College to do so well in such a prestigious provincial competition is indeed an indication of the quality of education that the students receive from our lecturers. It showed us that we are still relevant in what we teach”, said Gerrit Hattingh, Head of the Visual Art and Design department at Motheo TVET college.
The Motheo TVET College students competed with students from other respected tertiary institutions and up-and-coming artists from all over the province and did not have to stand back. These students are mostly from rural areas around the Free State, outside Bloemfontein, and might not have qualified for entrance to university, but are extremely talented, creative, and passionate about their art.
“They are gems that needed a bit of polish. I am sure the exposure and positive marketing that the Faculty and College received through this competition will positively affect our enrolment numbers and the brand the lecturers are constantly working on, " stated Gerrit.
More about the artist behind the HOD
Gerrit completed his B.Tech Fine Art at CUT and MA in Higher Education at the UFS in 2009 (cum laude). He participated in various group exhibitions and has been selected as a finalist in most major South African art competitions such as Spier Contemporary, SASOL New Signatures and ABSA L'Atelier.
In his approach to making art, he believes that the medium should follow the concept and therefore explores a variety of art mediums ranging from new media, drawing, photography and sculpture. His art aims to be unique in style through identifiable irony and tongue-in-cheek commentary on current social issues.
“Thank you to Phatshoane Henney Attorneys and the New Breed Art Competition for the exposure you give to our emerging artists”, stated Gerrit.
A word of motivation from Gerrit to emerging artists: “All artists at some point get de-motivated. You have to constantly re-invent, re-imagine and improve your art-making techniques and skills. You have to constantly explore and research new ideas and creative concepts. Any creative or art-directed industry requires hard work, dedication and self-belief as it is very competitive. The future of art for aspiring artists is dependent on the efforts that the artist puts into the making and marketing of his or her artworks. Art will always be a sought-after commodity, you just need to get your work out there, keep knocking on gallery doors, get advice and listen to it.”