Ras Silas Motse is an established name in and around Worcester due to his love for street art, which has beautified the streets of Worcester through graffiti painting.
Originally from the Free State, he has always had a passion for art, and specifically multimedia, which he developed while completing his art degree at the Central University of Technology.
After Ras completed his studies in 2014 he was employed as an assistant art lecturer.
In mid-2021 Ras moved to Worcester from Cape Town, where he was employed as an art teacher, and for the past year and a half he has worked tirelessly repainting and beautifying the walls in Zwelethemba as well as Kleinplasie.
“When I came here [to Worcester] everything was blank and dull,” said Ras, who explained he was in the process of lightening up the town through the use of colour.
Currently, this talented artist is pursuing his art by means of business, however wall murals, such as those in Zwelethemba and Kleinplasie, are done on a voluntary basis with the sole focus on “creating something beautiful” within Worcester.
“It’s not just art, but a calling,” said Ras, who also said that art is something he fell in love with since a very young age, and something he will continue to develop for years to come.
Asking Ras where his inspiration comes from, he explained he spent a lot of time in his studio at home where he meditates, analyse where he is and becomes one with the environment.
After this practice he hits the streets with his spray cans and paints whatever appears in his mind’s eye.
According to Ras, his street art cannot be categorised as graffiti, as he “makes art” through the use of shapes, colour and figures, and not just “words” as in the case of various graffiti artists.
The street art also serves as an advertisement for Ras’ business, Ras Silas Motse Studios, which is present on all major social media platforms including the internet with a website.
He is also available for commissions and has recently completed two for artworks — one for Sanlam in Worcester and another for the clinic in Avian Park.
