Today we’d like to introduce you to Lokho Kotile.
Hi Lokho, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Since I was a child, I always enjoyed creating, whether that be drawing, doodling, or painting. In Middle school, I took up painting more seriously and would always beg my dad to take me to Michael’s to buy canvases. When I got to high school that all changed. I took up photography and completely fell in love with it. After graduated, I continued on with photography although got my undergrad in English, I still felt the need to continue. I graduated during the pandemic in 2020, there was so much uncertainty going on during that time. I had this urge to go to art school and learn more. I created a couple of short films during that summer and explored more poetry and text in my work. My photography at the time felt stagnant, I wanted to pursue more with art so, I applied to the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and luckily I got accepted. During my first year, I took a family trip tp Kenya and collected a series of photos and writing, which was the bases of my first solo show Where is Your Home?
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
No, it’s been challenging. I struggled with burnout the last couple of years with my photography, I felt I wasn’t creating anything I enjoyed. I had been doing commercials for over 4 years, it drained my creativity completely. I felt unsure of myself and my sense of direction. But that challenge has made me push for more elements to explore as an artist, and so that I’m thankful for. For so long I boxed myself in as just a photographer, but since creating this exhibition I see myself as just an artist.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I currently work as Art teacher for Middle School students. This job has been such a wonderful position to be in. I constantly learning more each day with my students. Each day I’m gaining a sense of confidence within my work and my ability to teach and direct. I specialize in Visual Arts; drawing, painting, digital art, and photography. This spring semester, my students are focusing on digital art. I am proud of the new experiences my students are receiving, many have not taken art classes before, or even been to museums. I love to see the excitement and curiosity on their faces when we learn new techniques. As a teacher, I feel it’s important to facilitate those new learning experiences.
Any big plans?
I plan on teaching in art in a college setting. I love teaching and hope to foster that creativity for young adults. I also plan on making more films, and to venture into documentaries and narrative filmmaking. I also would like to create more exhibitions in the future, and still continue on making images.
Contact Info:
- Email: kotile.lokho@gmail.com
- Website: https://lokhokotile.com/
- Instagram: @Lokholens
