By Justin Matlou
BOLOBEDU-The gifted Matome Pax Lebepe has made more than 10 000 portraits and sold some, he has made a name for himself and is still determined to make waves in the fine-arts industry with his drawings.
The 24-year-old, who hails from Ga-Patamedi in Bolobedu told the publication that he started drawing during his high school years back in 2016, he further mentioned that he drew inspiration from other artists in his village.
This young man possesses an amazing artistic skill that leaves people speechless. He said he spent more time focusing on his talent rather than his schoolwork, luckily he managed to ace both of them.
His popularity grew further after he completed his matric “people started to notice my work and advised me to invest my time and effort into it, that’s when I decided to open a Facebook page Lebepe PAX ART” Lebepe explained.
Pax as he is affectionately known said his mother is very supportive, therefore he acknowledged her. ” I promised my mother, Nkhensani Ngobeni that one day I will be a well-known artist coming from the dusty village of Bolobedu.” He said.
He is studying Fine Art at the Tshwane University of Technology. “The only challenge we are facing as young and upcoming artists is funding, art materials are expensive so without funding it’s tough, but I still try by all means to uplift and empower myself,” he further explained.
The goal-driven artist received support from his former teachers who assisted him in promoting his artwork in many ways.
Whilst still studying he got a big break “I started offering services like drawing, painting and t-shirt hand painting work. The support from my friends and family was overwhelming,” he said.
Pax gained recognition after drawing a portrait of the music artist Kwesta, his God-given talent was then noticed nationally.
Lebepe said in the year 2019, he received orders from the west and central Africa, he then relocated to Pretoria which had an immense impact on his career.
He can be reached on Facebook (Lebepe PAX ART), you can place an order at any time.
