Chronicle Editor
Mbulelo Mpofu, Showbiz Reporter
EVERY artist has a ceiling that they are aspiring to reach and for local nature visual artist, Mpumelelo Mhlanga, it is hyperrealism.
Hyperrealism is a genre of painting and sculpture resembling a high-resolution photograph. Hyperrealism is considered an advancement of photorealism by the methods used to create the resulting paintings or sculptures.
The self-taught artist told Chronicle Showbiz that what started off as a hobby would later pay off with time.
“Art to me was always a hobby and I wouldn’t say I was led into art but it was the other way round. I never went to art school, I don’t know any art language, and I’m self-taught. If I look back, I recall having a glimpse of my talent at Primary School, then at Secondary School, it manifested itself but I didn’t do much of it till about a while ago,” he said.
The holder of a Law Degree said his ultimate goal is to achieve hyperrealism in order to sell more of his handiwork.
“My goal is to improve myself to achieve hyperrealism. That would be the greatest reward. This is because, to me, it’s the ingredient to enhance my portraits which are mostly wildlife, sunsets, flowers, and landscapes. With hyperrealism, one expresses themselves better and with more confidence, hyperrealism gives you belief and drives you and widens your market, enhancing chances of you making a sale,” said Mhlanga.
The 32-year-old artist said belief in one’s abilities is the antidote to succeeding in this art form.
“To other self-taught artists, I would say you have to believe in yourself because you were born great. Just let it explode. Express yourselves the way you are comfortable. Art has no mistakes because it’s a personal expression,” he said. – @eMKlass_49
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