Using art as self therapy
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Friday November 18, 2016 17:07
“In my location crime is a normal incident which is tolerated by most of the residents. Theft, assault and physical abuse on both children and women are common things that I witness everyday,” he said.
He disclosed that such kinds of situations he encountered affects his emotional being which often leads to countless headaches.
He added that such scenarios made him suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is not healthy for the body.
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a serious potentially debilitating condition that can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a natural disaster, serious accident, terrorist incident, sudden death of a loved one, war, violent personal assault such as rape, or other life-threatening events.
Mbangwa indicated that most of the youth in the area are part of different gang groups, who terrorise other residents especially women and children by committing serious crimes.
“Most of my age mates are involved in unlawful acts such as murder, house breakings, rape, assaults, robbery only to name a few,” he said.
The Jacklas No: 1 village born young man added that the last two decades he spent in the location was a rough road with dead ends and made his life miserable.
He disclosed that to make things smoother in his live he decided to concentrate and embrace his talent of drawing portraits.
The artist said that he found remedy of relating to his residential environment by drawing different portraits of women and children.
Mbangwa defined art as embracing the creation of nature and a relaxation of one’s mind by providing self-therapy.
He further said that art refreshes his state of mind and relieves him from stress.
“I concentrate on my artworks so that I can create beautiful and profitable portraits. Painting and drawing is in my blood; I breathe and eat art to survive. I am unique because of my art,” he said.
Mbangwa said his drawings and paintings include figure drawings, creating realistic images using different colours of ink.
He further said that his portraits feature women, children, prominent figures and unique objects. Mbangwa further noted that he is mostly inspired by the streets and nature as a way of showing the transformation of different lifestyles and personalities in the society.
“It is important as an artist to empower our societies and conserve culture through drawing and paintings,” he said.
Mbangwa said that his drawings and paintings show the psychological properties of colour, which relate to the emotions, mind and the body.
He said that he nurtured his love for portrait art since he was in junior school when he registered for it as an optional subject.
He expressed great gratitude to his family, friends and customers for believing in his talent through their love and support.
Mbangwa indicated that being a portrait artist assisted him on putting food on the table in order to sustain his family’s basic needs and wants.
He is still operating from home and selling his products from door-to-door, which is a challenge.
He added that some people regard the door-to-door selling strategy as unprofessional and people often underestimate the business.
The artist said he is currently displaying some of his art works at Supa Ngwao Museum for marketing.
Mbangwa disclosed that he is still seeking financial support from the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development so that he can set up an art gallery.
He indicated that the art gallery would help him set up a professional business that will attract customers in Francistown and the surrounding areas. He said the government and the private sector should invest more in the art industry so that they can uplift youth talents.
“People consider art as a joke and a waste of money but to tell the truth artists around the world sustain their standard of living by drawing and painting,” he said.
He advised parents to support their children’s talents and passion so that their dreams can be turned into reality.