Young artist aspires for global stage
Oleosi Kgosi | Friday June 22, 2018 12:25
The young artist who originates from Zwenshambe told Arts & Culture that he is a creative who is committed to learning and an excellent communicator with great interest in the world of art, fashion and design. “I make paintings on fabric or canvas. I customise denim jackets, t-shirts, caps, shoes and even pants. I also make framed paintings for the wall and murals,” he said.
Nfila said that he uses acrylic paints with the help of his fingertips and toothpicks. He uses fingertips for spreading the paint and tooth picks for precision. “I was just never satisfied with the precision I get from using brushes, especially when I’m trying to paint a very thin line. Unless it’s on large scale artworks, that are when I may employ brushes,” he said.
Nfila explains that he only started making art for business in 2015. Before then, it was either for a school project or just for his personal collection. To the young artist, art is life, an escape for a troubled soul and a constant reminder that he is serving a great purpose in life. “With the little knowledge I gather from my surroundings and Internet, I try to enhance my artistic skills so I can be as versatile as possible,” he said.
He says he has always had love for art from young age, as he used to draw cartoon characters. Things changed when one of his classmates came to school with her older brother’s landscape artwork. “It was an ocean view; you could see the water waves, the sun setting in the horizon, the clouds. It was just beautiful.” From there onwards he too wanted to be great and that’s when he discovered his love and passion for art.
Nfila said that he is faced with challenges of people who want free art service. Also, like many young people, Nfila’s other major problem is balancing his art life with having time for family, friends and school, more so that his programme of study comes in handy. Despite the challenges, he said that he gets a lot of support from people.
“I use social media platforms; I have a page on Facebook where I post all of my designs and the REDD’S CHILLSTEP SUNDAYS mastermind, Drew Chadhall, also let me exhibit my work several times, at the monthly event,” he said.
His aspirations are to commit fully to his arts and build both his name and brand for international recognition. “The brand will be grown into a big company with mass production and chain stores selling customised fashionable street wear.”