Times Of Swaziland: FINE ARTIST MPHENDVULO WIELDS BRUSH AGAIN

FINE ARTIST MPHENDVULO WIELDS BRUSH AGAIN
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BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA on 19/09/2017 03:36:00


MBABANE – “Swazi artists saved my career.” These words were said by
Mphendvulo Dhlamini, a talented Swazi painter who is known for his exquisitely
unique portraits.
Almost two months ago, the artist circulated a message that he was quitting
making portraits and members of Swaziland Visual Arts Industry came to the
rescue by motivating him.
“Please note that I will not be doing portraits anymore in my life other than
the ones I have been already commissioned to paint.
Stressful
‘‘Portrait painting is time consuming and stressful yet the demand is now
high on abstract paintings. Please take no offence good people,” read the
message that he circulated.
In an exclusive interview with this publication, he also stated that people
never paid him any money for their portraits.
Artists and/or entertainers motivated him, through a WhatsApp group platform,
telling him not to quit making portraits.
Some of the people that motivated Dhlamini include Mdura, Honest Mhlanga,
Lusolotja Ginindza and others.
“They told me that Swaziland is not ready to lose one of her best portrait
makers. They said that people like me are needed to groom other budding
creatives,” said Dhlamini.
He highlighted that as much as he was about to give up making portraits, he was
not ready to give up painting.
Appreciate
“I was prepared to make only abstract and landscape paintings. I appreciate
this crew that held my hand in a time of dismay,” he said.
Dhlamini is hosting an exhibition at the National Library in Mbabane on October,
27, where he will be exhibiting and selling some of his 100 paintings.