Online Reporter
Youth Interactive Writer
STALLON CHISONI, an 18-year-old visual artist from Kuwadzana, Harare, credits her regular visits to the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) with inspiring her to take art seriously.
Now a full-time artist, Stallon lives with a single parent and is beginning to realise her potential. She explained that this potential only emerged after engaging with top creatives at the NGZ and appreciating the work of others.
In an interview, Chisoni, who has mastered the art of painting, said she was living her dream.
She also shared her journey as an artist with pride.
“At first, it was my big brother who inspired me to venture into art; he is also an artist. I later agreed with my school head to change my practical classes and start doing art with my former teacher, Mrs Siphuma. I can say I’m not so good at drawing, but I am good at painting and mosaics.
“Seeing other students at my former school doing art made me more interested, and visiting the National Gallery inspired me too,” she stressed.
Stallon, who lives with her mother, uses art to ease her sorrows as well as to boost her imagination.
“I live with my mum, grandma, grandpa, and my big brother after my father’s death. I attended school at Kuwadzana 2 High School, where I did my art for almost two years. Currently, I have finished my O-Levels, so I have time.”
“My big brother is my role model because he is talented, and he’s the one who told me that ‘as long as you have the desire, it doesn’t mean you cannot turn it into a talent’—a principle that I always implement,” she narrated.
For all the popularity she has garnered in her circles due to her creativity and imagination, Stallon revisited her school days as her best.
“Back when we were in high school, it was amazing seeing different people with different art techniques, which inspired me to keep going.
“It wasn’t hard for me to convince my parents because they knew how much I love art, so they just told me to follow my dreams, and that’s what I’m still doing up to now,” she recalled.
A student of revered art teacher and painter Raphael Jam, Stallon is in safe hands. Her paintings are unique as she thrives on authenticity and hard work. She is in a league of her own, to say the least.
