DESIGN & SHARE 07

WITH POLA MANELI

Pola’s Bio:

Pola Maneli was born and raised in Port Elizabeth, South Africa where he studied visual communication at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. An award-winning illustrator and art-director, he is currently based in Cape Town where he works as a freelance illustrator.

DSP: Who are you and what do you do?

I am an illustrator and wannabe conceptual artist.

What is the role of Art in society?

I believe art should critique the society which it inhabits and to critique is to not just highlight the bad but the enormous good as well. In short I guess it should be honest about the space it inhabits.

What lies at the heart of your inspiration?

Hmm, honestly, I think there’s a search for redemption. An atonement for all the ways I have and continue to contribute to the very same systems I proclaim to despise. I really just want to feel like I’ve earned the right to be comfortable in my own skin. It’s too hard to be at peace right now. It’s selfish but I don’t believe altruism is a real thing either so… there’s that.

What drives your creative process?

My mortality; I find obscurity frightening, but in the same breathe I’m also weary of the sacrifices needed to become “great”. I’m also driven a lot by fear these days; fear that the fact that I’m vocal about my political stance on things might hinder my chances of having a successful career (even more so than it has already). A lot of anger too. I’m angry about the fact that I even have to commodify my craft and possibly compromize the messages therein in order to make a living. But I’m also driven by the idealistic belief that one day, if I’m smart about how I go about selling my soul that I’ll be able to “leave the game”. It’s naive but it gets me through the day.

Describe the last piece of art that truly moved you.

I’ve been slowly getting back into lettering, so Keith Vlahakis’ sketchbook typography has been hugely inspiring. I’ve always been aware of his work, but I’ve taken on a much deeper appreciation for his process as of late.

Do you own/posses a work of art?

Yes! I’m the proud owner of 2 Lady $kollie prints. I love any piece of work that provokes the viewer, and yeah.. She does that really really well.

How have you been able to use your creativity to make a living? Is creativity an asset in the economic world?

Until now I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to collaborate with people/brands I legitimately respect and they’ve been waaay nicer than I could’ve anticipated. But to answer the question, I think it’s been through reaching out to people with similar values and tastes, and just proposing ideas. Is creativity an asset in the economic world? It is, but I feel like it’s a reluctant one. I’m highly suspicious of people that think art is only valuable if it can be commodified. Yes, it can occupy that space, but it’s so much bigger than capitalism.

Are artists special or different from other people?

Different, yes. I’m of the unpopular opinion that not everyone can be an artist, and some people need to quit as soon as possible so that they can find what they’re really called to do.

What do you hope to ultimately accomplish as an artist?

A little bit of refuge from the mess that is this world for those who come into contact with my work. I want to put smiles on people’s faces.

How would you like your legacy to be remembered?

I think I’d like to be remembered as somebody whose work moved culture. like, the Spike Lee of illustration, y’know? That kind of spot.