Where Do I Fit In

Joel Tshepo Sebothoma was born in Ga-Rankuwe, Gauteng in 1980. Mostly a self-taught painter, he attended art classes under Eric Lubisi and the late Thomas Sewela at Zakithi Art Village and Gallery (funded by the Netherlands embassy). He also attended drawing lessons from Diane Victor, Annete Pretorius and Carl Jeppe.

He had a number of group exhibitions in Pretoria that included amongst other Resurrection (UNISA), Standard Bank Jacaranda Art Festival and Soul of Africa (DBSA). He was commissioned by FNB, Stephen Colgate Jewellers, FRARO, SAQAU as well as private collections. He also collaborated with fellow artist Tladi Mokgokolo on a mural for the Luvuyo Orphanage Home in Soshanguve.

He prefers oil as his favourite medium, charcoal and pencil. He enjoys doing portraits, landscapes and animal studies. He like to capture the bliss of everyday life and how people interact with each other daily. He always wants to show others what his world looks like. He says he is an optimist and wants to capture the positiveness of life through his work. He lives and breaths art. He says life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.

He currently exhibits his works in Art of Silver Gallery, Johann van Heerden Art Gallery and Trent Gallery in Pretoria. His goal in life is to teach upcoming young artists to reach their dreams and goals, and also learn more about art, to develop himself as a painter. He lives and works in Soshanguve Gauteng.