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Sibongile Ndiweni, Sunday Life Reporter
ART is a passion that helps share the thoughts of an artist, stemming from a desire to communicate and, for painters, bringing out an entire story in a good picture.
This is the mantra that Picasso Leon Siziba, a Bulawayo born and bred artist, lives by and he has shown his love for art through masterful portraits of celebrities that he draws.
Born in a family of artists, 20-year-old Picasso is an artist who has so far drawn portraits of South African celebrities. Not content with just being another street artiste, Picasso is now studying art at the Mzilikazi Arts and Craft Centre as a final year student. He told Sunday Life that he draws inspiration from watching his father create art pieces from when he was just four years of age.
“My father is an artiste and out of his art we were raised. However, he is not focused much on it at the moment. He gave me the name Leon which he took from Leonardo Da Vinci as proof of his love and passion for art, and how much it contributed to building his life.
Growing up I would watch him each and every day while he would be doing his drawings, paintings, print and design. My brother would also draw getting inspiration from our father and by the time I got to the age of six I would just draw people and flowers like any other normal child in their childhood, although it was a bit different as my father would give marks to my little drawing, which continued to motivate me,” he said.
So far Leon has drawn portraits of Young Stunna, Reece Madlisa, Zuma Msholozi, Musa Keys, Nkosazana Daughter, Ami Faku, Costa Titch, Sir Trill, Felo Le tee, Mawhoo, Bassie, Dj Maphorisa, Kabza De Small, Major league djs, and delivered them.
He is working on a puzzle portrait of Daliwonga.
“The following upcoming pieces are, Aymos puzzle portrait, Stokie puzzle portrait, Mfana ka Gogo puzzle portrait, Tyler Icu puzzle Portrait and a Nasty C puzzle portrait”, he said.
Leon said he meets up with artists when they come for shows in Zimbabwe and that before he draws any of them he first gets the permission to draw them as this allows him to communicate with the artists.
The young artist went on to say that sometimes it is event organisers like Mduduzi Mdlongwa, Ashley Ncube, Pure Rhythm Entertainments and Fife Street Events who help him with the delivery of the portraits.
“Mostly I do these portraits to gain exposure and market. Amapiano music inspires me so whenever I draw these artistes I feel like it’s an achievement in my career.
My biggest joy actually comes when these people approve and appreciate my talent, and this motivates me to keep doing more and in a better way,” he added.
Leon said his dream was to see his pieces make it to Spain and France, to prove that there is an African Picasso. And now that he understands that the arts industry is not easy, he will work hard to break through to the top.
Online Reporter