Painter brings leaders and icons to life

From a young age, Guilty Maanoane knew art was more than just a hobby. Born in Bodibe village near Lichtenburg, the 49-year-old discovered his passion for drawing and painting at just eight years old.

“My teachers used to ask me to draw illustrations for them and assist other learners during art periods,” he recalls. That’s when I started realising that art could be something I can rely on in the future,” he said.

Over the years, Maanoane has built a reputation as a master of both painting and drawing, specialising in celebrity portraits and murals on walls and limestone. After graduating from the Mmabana Arts Foundation in Mahikeng, he has worked on major projects across the province, including murals of prominent leaders of the Barolong clan at Letlamoreng Dam outside Mahikeng.

Maanoane has also exhibited and sold his work at the Africa Cultural Centre in Gauteng. His portraits include well-known DJs such as Fresh, Oskido, Sbu, Cleo, and Glen Lewis. He has represented the North West at the Grahamstown Arts Festival, connecting with artists from around the world.

Despite his success, Maanoane says resources and funding remain major challenges. “Sometimes you get massive projects but end up losing out because of lack of financial support. As an artist, one cannot simply give up. You have to find a way to sustain yourself, even if it means selling a single portrait to fund bigger projects,” he explains.

Looking ahead, Maanoane hopes to pass on his skills to the younger generation. He wants to give young people an opportunity to pursue art and keep them off the streets, ensuring that his passion for creativity continues to make an impact in the community.