Kingsway artist uses art to fight colourism
“In society, when you are of a much darker hue, you become a subject of ridicule.”
One of the striking features of Kingsway artist Tshepo Tsotetsi’s artwork is his use of charcoal, culture and the tales of how King Moshoeshoe I united various chiefdoms to form the Basotho nation.
Artist, activist and advocate of the Basotho Famo music, the 29-year-old’s work spreads messages of nationalism and hope while using charcoal as part of his activism against skin-tone bias, known colloquially as colourism or shadeism.
He exhibited his work at the #EkurhuleniArtsShowcase on March 18 in Daveyton.
The craftsman says the ‘yellow bone’ craze, used to describe light-skinned black women, that dominated public discourse in the 2010s, influenced his artistic activism.
“In society, when you are of a much darker hue, you become the subject of ridicule.
“I find freedom in what I do. I get the chance to define myself and be part of my craft. I like using charcoal because it makes me proud of my skin,” he said.
The Lindelani artist describes himself as a man of few words, and with his pencil, he aims to transform society and address sensitive issues.
He says colourism led to bullying and low self-esteem in teenagers, while adults resorted to skin-lightening creams to fit into what society deems beautiful.
“I want people to embrace their skin. Your skin tone is part of who you are. You should know you are beautiful and enough.”
Born and bred in the Free State agricultural town of Vrede, it is there where he discovered his love for the arts.
“As a Mosotho man, I get inspired by listening to traditional music and chanting my clan names.
“I attended many Basotho cultural events and saw how traditional attire was worn and how the females painted their faces. I was then able to base my work on these experiences.”
Walking around with his lebetlela, a Basotho fighting stick, and wearing beadwork influenced by his culture, Tsotetsi paid his respects to King Moshoeshoe, whom the Basotho honoured on his birthday on March 11.
“You have to know your culture and traditions. You have to understand your culture to know who you are.”
Tsotetsi’s greatest influence is Famo, which is played with a concertina and accordion and originated in the gold mines of South Africa in the 1920s.
Despite the challenges associated with the music, including accusations that some artists in Lesotho are behind the Zama-Zama illegal mining industry and the blanket wars between rival groups, Tsotetsi is adamant advocates of the music, like himself, can help end the violence.
“The blanket fights started in the mines. It’s now escalated into territorial fights in the Zama-Zama community.
“We are trying to stop this with music festivals where we embrace our culture and encourage everyone to wear a blanket of their choice without fear of anyone.”
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