Grahamstown's filth and rubbish-filled streets are a great annoyance to most of the population, but one Grahamstown artist seems to thrive off using everyday objects and waste materials to create his work. Francois Knoetze is currently in the third year of completing his Fine Arts degree at Rhodes University, where he is specialising in sculpture, and Grocott's Mail took the time to get into the mind of this interesting young man.
Grahamstown's filth and rubbish-filled streets are a great annoyance to most of the population, but one Grahamstown artist seems to thrive off using everyday objects and waste materials to create his work. Francois Knoetze is currently in the third year of completing his Fine Arts degree at Rhodes University, where he is specialising in sculpture, and Grocott's Mail took the time to get into the mind of this interesting young man.
What’s your greatest ambition in life?
The usual: to be well-travelled, to learn as much as I can but maintain a sense of humility, to keep my sense of humour intact and to leave having given more than I’ve received.
How does Grahamstown rock for you?
Well, I’ve lived here most of my life. Geographically, I like that it’s on the border of so many great places – the Karoo, The Wild Coast, etc. I also like the wide variety of people who gravitate towards the town – artists, academics, students… It has the cultural diversity and potential to be a paragon of what South African towns could be.
If there was one thing that you could change about Grahamstown, what would it be?
The enormous gap between rich and poor. I’d narrow it. (Although this task would be gigantic because it’s inextricably connected to history and people’s mindsets.)
If you could be mayor for a day what would you do?
Probably what most mayors do – put my feet up on my desk and wait for the pay cheque to roll in.
What’s your most embarrassing moment?
My pre-primary acting debut. I was a Wise Man in the Nativity Play, and opening night happened to be the one night when I forgot to wear underwear. The Wise Men cloaks were completely transparent, forcing me to walk down the aisle of a hall packed with parents using only my bowl of myrrh to protect my dignity.
What are you reading at the moment?
‘Death of the Author’ – an essay by Roland Barthes and a book on contemporary sculpture (which I’m stealing ideas from, rather than reading).
Who are your top three dinner guests?
Tupac, The Notorious B.I.G and the Dalai Lama (so a rapper-war intervention could play out while the Dalai Lama keeps the peace and facilitates the discussion).
What's your favourite recipe?
I like to dip bread in anything runnier than bread.
What's your favourite CD?
Verbatim Lightscribe CD-R. It is far superior to its counterparts in quality and reliability.
If you were stranded on a desert island what three things would you take with you?
If I had prior knowledge that I was going to be stranded on a desert island, I would take steps to ensure that the aforementioned did not happen. But for the purpose of this interview, I would probably take a Swiss Army Knife, 10 000 litres of clean water and sunscreen.
If you could come back as a cartoon character who would you be?
Come back from where? The Coco Pops Monkey has an incredibly self-assured swagger which I wouldn’t mind having.
