Art from the heart!

“I live, breathe, and dream about art,” says Sello Maselela a twenty-eight year old upcoming, undiscovered artist from Mahwelereng. Northern News came accross Sello while enquiring about the colourful murals and artwork on the different houses and shops in Mahwelereng. Sello’s art can be seen on buildings in and around the Waterberg area.
For Sello painting murals is about more than just skill and talent, it is a passion.
“I remember being in grade 11 and ‘bunking’ science class to attend art. My art teacher inspired me to drop science and follow my passion and that was the best thing I have ever done,” he says. When he’s not painting, Sello also dabbles into interior design, carpentry and craft.
He attended Seshego FET College and studied a course in Art and Design where he learnt the basis of design.
He dropped out of college one year later, because he believed he didn’t want to conform to social norms.
“Art makes me look at life in a different perspective, especially 3D-art, cause with 3D you take the viewer to experience the scene first hand - there is so much emotion and depth there,” he says.
Sello’s current project is turning his mothers’ house into a studio by breaking out most interior walls. As you enter all you hear is the loud music and then your eyes are treated to remarkable wall murals and fine carpentry.  “This is a way of me giving back to my mother, who has raised me to be the man that I am today. I am going to redesign this house in a way that she won't even  recognise it!” he enthuses.
Sello also gives back to the community by empowering local boys and teaching them the skill of crafting. While he didn’t finish his education, he however encourages young learners to finish  school as a means to fulfil their dreams. 
His long-term goal is to help uplift people all over. He would love to start a more unconventional art school inthe Mokopane-area if given the opportunity. “This is not just a hobby or a sport for me, this is my life and passion.” 
He believes that people are ignorant when it comes to art, “especially in my culture where parents think you can only make a living through being a doctor or lawyer.” 
This young man wants to change peoples perceptions about art and his work speaks volumes.