Serene/ Rustig/ Zizolile

Every piece of art starts with a unique motivation - for me, it's always of a personal nature. I don't paint someone that I saw - I paint someone that I met personally and my ultimate goal is to have their personality and story be translated onto the canvas. It's the real emotion behind peoples' smiles that fascinate me. The main focus of my piece will always be on the subject.
I paint in monochrome tones because no colour exists that can accurately represent every unique and colourful story - it is this contradiction that adds power to the artwork as a whole. South Africa is known as the rainbow nation but some stories already have their set palet of colours - because of the emotional situation that the subject finds him/herself in.

I believe that you don't have to travel on only one path, and I'm often led on a path of community service within rural South Africa. Here, I meet my Smiles of Africa. Behind the crooked smile and teary eyes, behind the Smiles of Africa lies more than the eye could see. The art-making process consists of firstly finding the perfect photograph as the subject. This is the biggest part of my art-making process because the photograph is the essence of the artwork, the story it's telling. It is essential to understand that the people I paint are real people living in Africa. They feel things differently coming from the circumstances they do. You have to keep the context of the inspiration in mind.

Everything that I see and hear on these paths of mine, brings me to this singular reason for my art - showing the real, pure beauty of South Africa's heart: its children and its people. Striving to convey to the viewer that Africa does not only start and end with its beautiful landscapes but Africa's true beauty lies within our communities and within our nation's people!

In the midst of hardship, there exists a profound serenity in the heart of a child. Especially this boy. Despite the challenges that surround him, he radiates a quiet strength and resilience that is both humbling and inspiring.
His overbearing patience waiting his turn every single time, waiting that the younger kids can get their teddy first, their soup first…and being so grateful whilst doing it. Bringing a calmness to his environment. A sense of serenity.

In the face of adversity, this child’s serenity is a beacon of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is light. Their ability to find joy in the smallest of moments, to laugh amidst tears, a hug to your teddy or loved one, is a testament to the power of the human spirit.

Their serenity lies in his unwavering belief that tomorrow can be better, that love, kindness and patience can prevail. It is a reminder to us all that no matter what life may throw at us, there is always room for hope, for faith, and for love.