Which new trends or South African artists do you find inspiring at the moment?
It’s much easier to get updates and information on new art exhibitions now that everything has moved online. Otherwise, I’m excited to witness the shift in the theme of identity. It’s no longer coming from the outside in, it's now coming from the inside out.
Which South African deceased artist do you most admire and why?
Gerard Sekoto’s Song of the Pick is an artwork that left an impact on me. It was the first time and maybe one of the few times that I allowed myself to feel and interpret so much out of an artwork beyond its subject matter.
If you could only have one piece of art in your life, what would it be?
I would really like to own a soup can of Campbells. Particularly the chicken noodle soup one. Does that count as a piece of art?
Pick three artists who you would be honored to exhibit with – and why
Ibrahim el-Salahi: When I first read about him I hung on to his name because firstly I loved that he draws, so made me feel less intimidated by choosing pen and ink as a technique I ould make my own. But I choose him mainly because it’s not often that get to read about a great African artist being written about with such respect, it makes your heart happy. So I’d be honoured to exhibit with him.
Tony Gum: I saw a cover of a young girl on a magazine called The Lake, I didn’t know who she was or what she did for a living but I took the cover put it up on my wall. A few months later I was introduced to this woman without even knowing it. She simply embodies the word art.
and an artist friend: Only because we’ve agreed to do something and we have not done it yet. It would simply be the greatest achievement if one of us just made up our minds!?
How did you get started? Did you always want to be an artist?
I can’t say I’ve always wanted to be an artist but I’ve always been interested in creative expression. As a teen, my interests were in music, poetry, theatre. When my interest in art became present I had people encourage me along the way.??
What are some of the key themes you explore in your work?
Portraiture, girlhood to womanhood, family. I’ve realised that different media informs different subject matters and material goes a long way in achieving that. My themes are slowly evolving and I’m very grateful for that.
What should people know about your art that they can’t tell from looking at it?
It’s a meditative process. Drawing helps me reach a trance-like state and I quite like that. I make the crosshatch markings on the lips of the portraits lighter so they would stand out more. I wanted to highlight the thick lips being that I am a proud owner of a pair. I’d also like to think that my art as forever-building. It will always teach me something about myself. I am forever learning in my life, therefore I am also learning as an artist.
Tell us more about your creative process.
I think now I can confidently say I build, and construct piece by piece in every artwork that I create. I take pride in chiseling into definition and character. My drawings are just that. A manifestation of a vision, or just a direction.
Do you believe an artist should use their platform to influence society? Why?
An artist should not aim to influence. They should aim to reveal the truth. It must be up to the viewer to make a decision.??
Do you have a favourite or most meaningful work?
At the moment? No.
What is your greatest achievement as an artist to date?
To have an article published in Artthrob alongside Emma Richardson, and Dale Lawrence was personally a great achievement.
What are your aspirations for the future?
My aspirations for the future are to experiment with other media. I am excited to see what happens in these new spaces.
