Glass artist, Malebogo Molokane is taking her emotional artwork on a tour across her home country. Her creations are not just beautiful, but they also carry a message of resilience that inspires all who see them.
Malebogo, a graduate of Tshwane University of Technology and a part-time lecturer, won the 2022 Absa L’Atelier Gerard Sekoto Award. This recognition led her to showcase her art in Paris, where she stood out as the only glass artist among her peers. Despite facing doubts about her craft, Malebogo’s determination resulted in her first solo exhibition.
Thanks to the French Institute of South Africa and the South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA), Malebogo is now presenting her exhibition titled ‘A Re Tshamekeng’ (“Let’s Play” in Setswana). Her artwork explores human emotions through layered glass pieces, reflecting the fragility and power of expressions.
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Malebogo’s creations share moments of tension, joy, excitement, and confusion, showcasing the ups and downs of life in a different way. She also incorporates fun board and indigenous games into her work using various glass techniques, resulting in stunning layered glass pieces that blend journeys, fun, expressions, and the human experience.
For Malebogo, working with glass is a process filled with emotions, mirroring the delicate nature of human feelings. Despite the challenges and pain involved, she finds fulfillment in expressing herself through her art. The message of resilience shines through her work, reminding viewers that life is a game worth playing with all your heart.
