Molecule!

Joshua Da Silva
Jul 4, 2020
5 min read

Updated: Jul 5, 2020

Pretoria-based visual artist Molecule gives us an insight into his creative process, the role of music in his work, and how that Vans South Africa piece came about.

So tell us, who is Molecule?

I am Tebogo Mamabolo, otherwise known as Molecule. I was born and raised in Pretoria. I've always had a passion for art from a young age, so I knew what I was going to do. I'm currently studying to be a graphic designer. Bachelor's degree in my second year at Vega Pretoria. 20 years old, can't believe that. I like illustration and drawing more traditionally. Yeah, that's me, man.

So why the name "Molecule"?

I get asked that question a lot, and I can understand why. Back when I was 12, I didn't have a nickname, I just always went by Tebogo. So one day, I just randomly asked my brother for a nickname. He thought about for a short while, then he said "Molecule!". I was like, "What?", but it stuck. I've asked why he chose that word specifically, but not even he knows, but I kept it anyway.

How did you first get into art and design?

I guess in creche. You're always taught to colour in between the lines, and when was bored at home I just liked to draw random things. I'd ask my family what should I draw, you know? It's always been art from the get-go.

For someone who hasn't seen your work, how would you describe your artistic style?

My work is heavily based on portraiture. Throughout school, we had to draw tons of portraits. It's also very much Fashion orientated. I'm trying to show more fashion appreciation. Also, my works are very minimal in terms of colour. It's nothing crazy. In terms of style; that's something I've been struggling with for a while because I don't really have my own unique style. I really like line work, and that's something I'm always trying to gravitate towards, even though it might not be very prominent in the design or the art piece. Still, line is just something I like a lot.

So you briefly touched on it, but what are some of the themes that are apparent in your works?

That's tough because I'm very open to any subject matter. I think, as a designer, you should be well knowledgeable on how to draw different things. So it's nothing really straight forward but like I said it's portrait orientation and going into an illustrative fashion direction right now. Also just an appreciation for people of colour I guess. I never noticed, but I almost always draw people of colour. It's nothing intentional, but it's just something that I've realised lately and do enjoy.

With that point, what would you say are some of your biggest influences or some of your favourite artists? People you look to.

There's actually a whole list of people I would like to name but off the top of my head:

My friends, such as Mak(o Mutezo) and my brother. Also some people you might know such as Bushywop, African Ginger, Wacom Boy: basically, people, I follow on Instagram.

So you mentioned how you are influenced by your friends. Do you feel that they push you to do better? Do you think of it as competition?

Yes, definitely. These are people that I am exposed to daily. I have a deep appreciation of these people and their work. I look at it as a healthy competition. It's not looking at each other's work to steal from it, but rather to elevate one another through each other's talents.

Could you describe your creative process for us?

Well, firstly, daily I try to get inspiration from, well, pretty much anything. Maybe it's through Instagram or Pinterest, or I'll go outside and see something interesting that catches my eye. I really try my best to take these things during the moment. I'll either write these things down in my notes or take a picture so when it comes to actually produce, I already know what I want to do. It's really all premeditated. Of course, every now and then there is the odd occasion where I will draw something random because I'm bored, but a majority of my works are planned out.

So this is an interesting question. You recently had some excellent interaction with Vans South Africa. Tell us how that came about.

Firstly I don't know anyone who doesn't like vans. I have always had a deep Love for Vans. So when I customised my Vans, I just felt that I needed to take it one step further. I had initially posted a picture of the shoes themselves. Still, I felt I needed more recognition, so I decided to illustrate the work and post that. Next thing I know @Vans_ZA follows me and they repost my work on their feed. It was really humbling. To think a massive brand like that could recognise such a young boy like me felt amazing.

Yeah, I actually was so surprised because I follow both you and @Vans_ZA. So when I opened my Instagram feed, and I saw you post the picture and then I scroll up and see Vans posted the same picture, it just blew me away

Exactly! And I think it's the small wins like that that gives you more courage to keep going: that morale boost. It makes you want to work more.

So what role does music play on you as a designer, and on your work?

Music is life, bro, and I need that day-to-day. I'm always listening to music. It's never just one specific genre, but of course, I do have some more favourite genres such as hip hop and R&B. But not no Alicia Keys R&B. More new age R&B. I call it "sad boy music"—artists like The Weeknd and Joji.

Now in my actual works, a great example of music's influence would be the Mac Miller painting I did. When he passed away, I felt I needed to show my appreciation for his music and him as a person—a similar situation with Tyler the Creator. Just paying homage to great music and great creatives. Music has very much influenced my art directly.

So I have asked you to make a playlist for our readers. Could you please describe it for us?

My creative process changes depending on what kind of music I am listening to. Sometimes it's an hour-long podcast or some lo-fi or my own playlists. So in this playlist, there's a little bit of everything, but it comes in different phases. The first phase is the sad boy stuff I mentioned. The second phase gravitates more towards hip hop. The middle phase is a good mixture of both. My favourite song on there has to be XOX - IAMDDB. I just feel that track, man. I hope everyone enjoys the playlist.

I'm sure we will!

So what are your plans for the future regarding art and design?

So for the near future, I would like to start creating more art for me. Not necessarily stop illustrating other people I know, but I would like to start creating art that revolves around myself and is solely for me. In the long run, I would just absolutely love to see my work on a wall. That's obviously not my end goal, but that's just something that I feel I need to do.

And of course, more art and more practice, getting better in my craft. There are so many ways we can use the digital platform to create art.

So my final question for you, what's your mantra? What's something you tell yourself to keep going when it gets tough?

Something I've been telling myself lately is that slow progress is better than no progress. Mainly because sometimes I get really demotivated to do my work, but I know that doing something small is better than doing nothing at all.