John Selesho was born on 31 January 1956 in Thaba Nchu. He began drawing as a child and although he had no formal art training, he got some advice from F Claerhout who stayed in Thaba Nchu for most of his life.
His work is mainly in oil and chalk Pastel and is characterized by very fluid lines reminiscent of Claerhout, resulting in a style depicting wonderful movement.
John originally began his working career on the mines and many of his scenes have their origin in those times and experiences.
In 1985 he embarked on a full time art career and has since featured in a number of exhibitions:
1998 Oliewenhuis art museum in Bloemfontein
1999 Won the “Upcoming artist award” at the Macufe festival in Bloemfontein
2001 Ladybrand
2002 Alice's Gallery in Roodepoort
2005 Second prize at the Macufe festival in Bloemfontein
2012 Oliewenhuis art museum in Bloemfontein
2015 Smithfield Fringe arts festival
His works is also represented in the permanent collection of Oliewenhuis art museum, a national art gallery.
John Selesho caused some controversy in 2002 when he claimed to be the artist behind the well-known Claerhout sculpture, the donkey.
“Vader Frans Claerhout sal altyd onthou word as een van die legendes van die Suid-Afrikaanse kunswêreld. Daar is egter twee mans wat sy liefde vir kuns steeds laat lewe deur hul eie kunswerke. John Selesho (57) en Whyttey Khabele (36) is albei van hul kinderdae af deur Claerhout opgelei en vandag trap hulle diep spore in die kunste. “Ek het grootgeword in Thaba Nchu en was altyd besig om draadkarre te maak,” vertel Selesho. “Ek het nie geweet ek wil eendag ’n kunstenaar wees nie, maar ek het daarvan gehou om met my hande te werk.” Dit is hier waar hy vir Claerhout ontmoet het toe hy die dorpie besoek het om sendingswerk vir die Rooms Katolieke Kerk te doen. Hy is net daar saam met Claerhout terug Tweespruit toe, waar Claerhout hom opgelei het om met pastelle, olie, akriel en klei te werk.
Dit was nie lank voor Selesho vir homself begin naam maak het nie. In 1999 wen hy die Macufe Kunstefees-toekenning vir sy kunswerk Moeder met drie kinders, en in 2005 die tweede prys by dieselfde fees. Een van Selesho se steenbeelde pryk ook tans by die Oliewenhuis-kunsmuseum in
Bloemfontein.” - Bloemfontein Courant 2013
1956 -
Nationality: South African
