Born in 1996, Maseru, Lesotho, ‘Mathabang Matty Monethi is a trailblazing artist, and artpreneur. She joins Hlalefang Makoetlane of Lapeng Collective for a candid conversation to reflect on her artistic journey.

HM: We are in the 2nd quarter of the year, how are you?

MM: In my personal life I’m doing really well, I’m good. In my professional life I’m a bit stressed and overwhelmed.

HM: Briefly tell us about yourself.

MM: I am an artist and business owner based in Maseru. I studied Fine Arts at art school and at university. My practice is an exploration of the interrelation between memory, migration, passage of time and personal archives.

HM: Your love for art, where did it all begin?

MM: I’ve always made things with my hands as a kid, whether it be drawing, making stick people, wire cars and sculpting with clay. My siblings draw too so that’s just how I grew up. I also really enjoyed art as a subject throughout my whole life. A conscious love and appreciation for art (as I know it now) came in my late teens, my dad took me to art exhibitions in Addis Ababa.

HM: What kind of art do you do, and what inspires it?

MM: Primarily I am a painter. I make oil, watercolour, and gouache paintings. My work is retrospective and narrative in nature, I’m interested in the passage of time and how we recall past events as time progresses. I’m also inspired by the sentimentality that comes with looking at photographs, thinking about personal histories and trying to recreate those moments through paint. A lot of meaning is made through remembering; the people involved, the spaces inhabited, and the self are part of that meaning making.

HM: Each artist does art for a reason. Be it to convey a message about weaving history into the modern day and age, or to simply express themselves amongst others. What’s your why?

MM: It’s what feels natural to me, it’s how my brain works. It feels right for me to process life through making art, and keep record of it through writing and painting.

HM: You have several accolades to your name, from art residencies to exhibitions. The latest exhibition being the Schütz Art Society residency. How did the residency transform your artistic trajectory?

MM: The residency inspired an appreciation for my life in Lesotho right now and a desire to explore that through my art, and paint more landscapes. Lesotho is featuring a lot more in my work nowadays

HM: Having been in the industry professionally for almost a decade, what lessons have you learnt(Reflections)?

MM:

1.Every artist should be a studio/artist assistant at least once during their career. I learned so much about art, business and community during my time as an assistant.

2.Making art is only fun half of the time, the rest of the time it is stressful.

3.The network and communities you become part of during art school or university are invaluable.

4.There are months of no motivation and inspiration.

5.Living in countries that value and support the arts is to be cherished.

6.Critique is good.

7.Self doubt doesn’t go away.

HM: Thoughts on the creators’ economy in Lesotho, and of course, South Africa as an artist?

MM: The creator’s economy in South Africa is more established than in Lesotho. As a creator in SA you can see what you are or what you dream of reflected back at you. That’s important to see and to experience as someone in the arts. We don’t have that access and luxury here in Lesotho. Too few spaces to having a thriving creator’s economy.

HM: You recently made a call to fine art practitioners to critique one another’s work at their studios. What brought about the idea?

MM: Studio visits are something that I’ve had in the back of my mind for a long time. Having lived and studied in South Africa for years I’m used to studio visits and having that culture of critique. Coming back to Lesotho, that culture is lacking and I feel that gap everyday, it feels like I’m creating in a vacuum here. The call I made was triggered by a Facebook post by a fellow artist Alvin Lesoli, he said we need an art critic in this country. I felt we needed to draw it closer to home and work on a peer level first

Lapeng Collective Gallery

Artworks by Matty Monethi

HM: A word to young, hungry and talented upcoming artists?

MM:
1.Technical skill is great, but it can only take you so far if you’re not saying anything. Find a voice, have
something to say. Photorealism isn’t the pinnacle of art, don’t get trapped, try other things.
2.Keep a visual diary and write down everything. Not all ideas are meant to be explored. Months or even years from now may be the time for them. New and better work can spark from old ideas.
3.Go to art school if you are able to.
4.Be open to critique, you’ll be a better artist and person for it.
5.Apply for opportunities: competitions, grants and residencies. The application process gets you into the habit of thinking and writing about your work and practice, which inturn will help you speak about
it. It’s a great space for reflection.
6.Invest in your art. Buy better quality materials, prioritise presentation, and learn techniques and
mediums outside your comfort zone.
7.Read.

HM: Where can people get hold of you, either for collaborations or art collection?

MM: Email is the best way to reach me, Instagram works too but I’ve
been feeling apathetic towards social media for a while now so I’m not
that active. My email address is on my IG page @matty_monethi