Greenside’s Van Gogh brings art to life
Thato Maserah has big plans for art within his community
POLOKWANE – Thato Maserah is a young man who brings art to life.
The 26-year-old from extension 44 Greenside, has been drawing since he was young but due to lack of support from family, only started taking it seriously in 2011. That was when he decided to pursue art as a career.
“I started out as a construction worker saving money to buy the material I needed because I couldn’t afford it. However after my family saw how my love for visual art and how serious I was in pursuing it is a career, they came aboard and I now have their full support.”
He currently boasts clients from as far off as Giyani and Phalaborwa and regularly moves around town advertising his artwork. His work is mainly inspired by culture and heritage and he loves portraits. “Most of my clients request that I paint or sketch a portrait of them, something which I love doing. This is my passion and I enjoy every moment of what I do. I travel as far is Giyani and Phalaborwa and the clients who hire me pay for my travel expenses because they believe in me and my work,” he said.
Funding has been a problem but he hopes in the next two years to open a museum at Greenside. He is also passionate about developing other young artists adding that there is plenty of talented young people in his community who need guidance. “I would like to work with youth and help them channel their talent but it is difficult to do without the necessary sponsorship, but art is alive and many people are interested,” he said.
