Giggs wants to help Limpopo artists shape their futures

POLOKWANE – Visual artist, Giggs Kgonamotse Kgole, has taken the international art community by storm with his art pieces that communicate a strong message of hope and faith.

Giggs told BONUS that he is passionate about life, inspiring others and wants his name in the history books. The 23-year-old, who grew up in Kutupu village, says art has been a part of his life from a young age as playing with mud was a norm for children in villages.

“As I grew older, going to the river to fetch water meant doing more than just playing around in the mud when I realised how well it shapes. Ideas for sculptures and creating beautiful ceramics came to mind,” he explained.

Giggs says his love and drive to become a great artist grew and pushed him to apply for scholarships, which he managed to obtain and began schooling at St John’s College in Johannesburg, where he matriculated. The award-winning artist hosted his first art exhibition at the age of 14 and in 2018, he became the youngest Gallerist in South Africa.

“My life’s ambitions include giving back, empowering the artistic community and inspiring others to do the same; to dig deeper into their being and showcase the change that people want to see in the world,” he said. Aside from developing an interesting, yet sophisticated collector’s base, Kgole has also been noticed by and welcomed by the art world as one of their own.

“In 2019, I spent six months in France, in a residency organised by the Undiscovered Canvas, where I was named as one of the Mail and Guardian’s Top 200 young South Africans. I have also won a People’s Choice Award for my piece, “God Ke Mama”, which was also on the cover of the 10th Anniversary Young Masters Art Prize in London,” he added.

Giggs is known for his use of Anaglyphs, which he then paints on and adds collage elements to. The viewer is then asked to view the work through 3-D glasses, which enhance the viewer’s experience and relationship with the work. 2018 marked a new feat for Giggs as he became one of Africa’s youngest gallery owners at the age of 21.

His gallery, GasLamp Gallery, is currently located in Johannesburg and he describes it as a contemporary art space for creatives who need an opportunity to tell their stories in a commercial manner.

“In due time, I am hoping to expand and open another art gallery in Limpopo, to afford up-and-coming artists and creatives an opportunity to tell their stories,” he added.

Giggs’s next adventure includes exhibiting in London in a group show, Say My Name, which will be presented by film maker, Ava DuVernay at the Signature African Art Gallery in Mayfair. The showcase will feature the work of 13 artists across painting and sculpture to connect African artists with the histories of the diaspora in Europe and America.