Meet Alvin Lesoli | Fine artist, Art curator & Engagement specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alvin Lesoli and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alvin, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
About being in artist, most people think it’s all just about producing paintings or drawings or the likes, but more that 70% of it is being able to write well, articulate yourself better and being knowledgeable in multiple areas of social, cultural, and political issues. Even if your work as an artist comes comes from internal inspiration, you really do not have the luxury of being ignorant.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been an artist for over a decade now, but only started practicing professionally less 3yrs ago.
In my work the effort is to create works which spark up dialogues tailored for cultural and social transformation it’s a way in which I also try to find my place in the society. As much as the painting I create come from deep conversations with myself, they amount to nothing if I can’t show them to someone and have a conversation, even for 60 seconds long.

I am particularly proud of my understanding of an array of mediums and styles of delivery developing and finding my voice,

The journey of being an artist in Lesotho is an uphill battle because there’s zero market here for creative work, my idea of beating this challenge was to try and have access to international market, and I have been lucky to have a few sales locally and internationally but my luckiest moments are of the people locally who are just able to hook me up with a few temporary jobs here and there, and I have used that as a spring board for my art career

The lesson I learned in life can be summed up with one line, ” If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to far go together”. African Proverb – Martha Goedert.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There’s a Restaurant here Known as “Cafe What?” A very immaculate creative sport in town, I would take them there and Bonnini Artists Residency & Homestay, this way one would get a full experience of multicultural experience of Lesotho in just 2 locations.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The first person who comes to mind when asked about my journey in life is Elelloang Lesei, who is in a way a very hush critic of my work, but he’s been very constructive in his approach to the criticism, and it many has has help me develop better as an artist and be able to express myself.

Website: https://www.alvinlesoli.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alvinlesoli/