Mokgalabe wa dimas

In Donald Masoga’s "Mokgalabe wa dimas," a figure emerges from a maelstrom of color and texture, defined by a raw, electrifying energy. Again, the artist employs a neo-expressionist style, using bold, continuous outlines to map the features of a face dominated by a large pair of stylized glasses. This central element grounds the portrait, giving the otherwise abstract figure a distinct character. The canvas is a battlefield of layered pigments—fiery reds, brilliant oranges, and deep blues clash and converge, creating a sense of history and frenetic motion. Masoga's technique transforms a simple portrait into a dynamic experience, where the form is deconstructed into a vibrant network of lines and a pulsating field of raw emotion.

The title, "Mokgalabe wa dimas," translates from Sesotho as "The Old Man with Glasses," anchoring the abstract chaos to a recognizable and poignant human archetype. The glasses become a powerful symbol, suggesting not just physical sight but wisdom, intellect, and a lifetime of observation. Rather than portraying age with somber reverence, Masoga depicts the elder as a vessel of immense energy and enduring spirit. The chaotic background could represent the complex tapestry of memory or the vibrant, perhaps overwhelming, world as seen through the subject's unique lens. In this powerful work, Masoga celebrates the figure of the elder, rendering his spirit not as fading, but as a brilliant and indelible force.