Rolene Molefe
Mojakhumo Rolene Molefe, popularly known as ‘Rolene M Art’ is a 23- year-old multidisciplinary artist from Rustenburg, North West but currently based in Cape Town, South Africa. She discovered her love for art in primary school where she participated in various art competitions including visual arts, creative writing and performing arts. In 2011, she was chosen by her Arts & Culture teacher to participate in the ROOM 13 ART ORGANIZATION, which is an initiative from Scotland teaching young South African learners from marginalized communities' basic principles and techniques of art. It became a good foundation for her creative journey as she learnt a lot about art history through the programme. Her passion for art motivated her to do EGD (Engineering Graphics and Design) and CIVIL TECHNOLOGY as her main subjects in High School to learn about architecture and design. In 2018, Rolene started sharing her art on social media which received positive response. With the help of her supporters, she won the BEST CREATIVE ARTIST AWARD at Mzansi Arts and Media Awards.
Rolene is currently a student at the University of Western Cape pursuing a degree in BA HONOURS ANTHROPOLOGY. Her academic background has helped her to see art in a different perspective. With modules like philosophy, anthropology, history, and psychology, she went beyond academia and learnt about the relationship they have with art. Through historical studies she was able to do visual history where the 3rd year students participated in a group exhibition curated by Buhle Ngaba. Rolene is part of the EMERGING ARTIST PROGRAMME by the City of Cape Town. She participated in the Capacity Building project where they attended workshops at Iziko Museum, SA National Gallery, and Zeitz Mocaa. The programme has helped her creative journey and allowed her to venture into other art initiatives just like the Comic Con Cape Town which will be held end of April. As a person who believes in feminism, she was also part of the RISING FEMALES OF BOKONE which is an all-women art project at the Northwest Province promoting the importance of art and feminism. The programme has an exhibition that helped her to develop new artistic skills and experience. Eager to learn, her enthusiasm helped her to become part of the UCT Michaelis School of Fine Arts Preparatory Program 2024.
Tsakane, 2022
acrylic paint and charcoal on paper
Size: 297 x 420 mm
Description: Tsakane is a Tsonga word which means ‘JOY’. The artwork highlights the joy of an African Child despite being born in poverty. The yellow colour symbolises HOPE of making it out of the situation.
Calm in a storm, 2023
acrylic paint on paper
Size: 280 x 400 mm
Description: The artwork focuses on ‘godly women’ in our communities who have given their lives to God, Christianity, and faith. Their strength does not come to an end because every hardship/tribulation they come across, they know where to lean.
Kijana, 2023
acrylic paint on paper
Size: 297 x 420 mm
Description: Kijana is a gender-neutral name of Kiswahili origin that means ‘youth’. The artwork highlights the dynamics of gender identity within African cultures, that is why I chose a neutral name and some colours from the LGBTQI+ movement. What I was trying to emphasise is that like religion, culture does not define a person’s choice of sexual preference.
Obscure, 2022
acrylic paint on paper
Size: 297 x 420 mm
Description: Obscure is a contemporary art piece
drawing inspiration from the work of the late Jean
Michel Basquiat; who was an American artist that
rose to success during the 1980s as part of the Neo-
Expressionism movement.
Artist Statement
I incorporate different art styles to highlight concepts and ideas in our society such as religious ideologies, cultural norms, political concepts, and other social factors that play a role in our everyday lives. My work is a constant search for the best way to interpret ideas that I have about myself and the world we live in. I do not limit myself; I have tried several art styles, and I am always willing to try out new ones. Life changes. Inspiration and ideas change. Knowledge changes.
My art style includes African contemporary art, pop-art, line art, minimalism, cartoon/comic/anime art, customising, abstract art, and photography. Through painting, drawing, and digital art, I can make my ideas come to life. My interest has recently been on embarking in the world of mural art. It is the type of art style I wish could grow in the city that I come from. I want my community to see and understand the beauty of mural art which was previously seen as related to gangsterism and violence. Most of my art is inspired by real life situations that we come across on a daily basis like gender-based violence, sexism, poverty, racism, misogyny, and others.
The last piece of painting I created was simultaneously focusing on Christianity and how it somehow led to patriarchal dominance in our society. Focusing on the famous biblical tale of Adam and Eve, it highlighted concepts such as gender stereotypes and discrimination, masculinity vs femininity, and also questioned the validity of the bible. Although I focus mostly of visuals, I do not classify myself as a visual artist because my mind and ideas change from time to time. As a multidisciplinary artist different mediums allow me to capture the beauty of objects, people, and places. My art is meant to be READ AND ANALYSED. There has to be a particular feeling that one gets to all my work. My INSPIRATION comes from my life - what I see happening around me.