Second runner-up is multi award winning Illustrator, Graphic Designer and Street Artist Karabo Poppy Moletsane who continues to pave the way for upcoming young creatives by proving that young people have plenty of talents.
Putting a somewhat unpopular field on the map the Vereeniging born creative is using her love for the African aesthetic in all her work.
According to her Behance profile she said “I am inspired by the visual aesthetic of Africa, both contemporary and traditional. Our aesthetic has a long rich heritage rooted in constant innovation and hybridity.”
She added that her focus is to preserve and celebrate the African aesthetic and represent the unrepresented.
Moletsane holds a BA in Visual communication from the Open Window Institute which clearly did her good judging from her stellar work.
(c) Instagram
The Gold Craft Loerie award winner is also the founder of a creative agency called Mother Tongue – Creative House, which she started around 2014. The agency explores South Africa’s aesthetic and creative identity through illustration and design which is what Moletsane cares about most.
In an interview with 10and5.com she spoke about the rewards of working of working as a creative.
“What I find rewarding about a creative career is that it easily becomes a way of living where I am not only a creative from 9am-5pm but creativity is a lifestyle that I live.
“A creative career allows me to learn about many topics that I would have never thought about researching and to also interact with a large spectrum for people. There is a giant wave of creativity emerging from South Africa and I think it’s a great reward to be part of that wave.”
(c) Instagram
She recently teamed up with Nike to create some really unique pairs of Air Force sneakers that showcase the African aesthetic perfectly.
She wrote on her Instagram, “The Karabo Poppy X Nike Air Force 1 collection is OUT NOW😱! Not 1, not 2 but 3 Air Force 1 designs I got to CREATE with home (Africa – South Africa) as the source of inspiration. A true honour to be partnering with #NikeByYou to give you the opportunity to customise my design on the site too.
This became more than just a collab! The reach for African artists is expanding exponentially and I am filled with so much joy to create a first of its kind here with @Nike, where a sneaker design that has been a part of my life and the life of my family, community and the that of people I look up to has a variation designed by me 🤯. This hasn’t become real for me yet but can be real for you when you order it online – available worldwide on the Nike site. Thank you to every person that was part of getting me here, I will keep on honouring your support daily.”
As she continues to fly the South African flag high we can not wait to see what Moletsane does next.
