AT AGE 21, Ntsane Letele has the depth and dexterity of a seasoned painter.
His captivating and vibrant works are haunting, playful and jarring as he reflects and documents life.
One outstanding painting from his portfolio is of a rape survivor. The blonde woman with a black body has her head bowed as she sits on the ground and contemplates life after the brutal attack.
Letele says the woman is slipping into depression.
"It was not easy to paint about rape, although I do touch on emotional subjects.
"I felt compelled to depict the aftermath of this horrific act and how devastating it can be to women. I worry about younger women who might have to go through this at some point in their life."
It's probably this profound and layered approach that sets Letele apart from his rudimentary peers who may still be experimenting with colour.
On Sunday Letele will take his place among young painters who will fill up the first Rosebank Art Fair hosted by the Rosebank Sunday Market in Johannesburg.
The young man believes cracking this spot is a sign of bigger things to come. He also feels vindicated that his choice for a career is what he is meant to do with his life.
The energetic Duduza resident who was born in Maseru, Lesotho, says he won art competitions throughout primary school. Last year he completed an artisan course at Klerksdorp College.
This gave him the confidence to carry on painting, and his first creation was of Sarah Baartman.
"I realised I could do more. My brother Isaac is in the creative space too as a hairdresser. I draw inspiration from his work, in fact some of my art features hair pieces," he says.
Letele says he will exhibit at least a dozen paintings and as a promising talent he hopes to snatch a gallery placing.
Michele Zail, events manager at Rosebank Sunday Market, says the exhibition will provide a forum for between 40 and 50 emerging original artists to catch the attention of major art galleries in the city.
"The selection process was all about decent and good quality work. Our team went through the pictures and we invited the artists to come exhibit."
She says the artists will present varied works and come from as far afield as Zimbabwe.
"We plan to have the Art Fair two or three times a year as this opportunity is important for artists whose sole income is from painting."
l The Art Fair is on Sunday at Rooftop Market of Rosebank Mall from 9am to 4pm.
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
Art fair provides new creative space
AT AGE 21, Ntsane Letele has the depth and dexterity of a seasoned painter.
His captivating and vibrant works are haunting, playful and jarring as he reflects and documents life.
One outstanding painting from his portfolio is of a rape survivor. The blonde woman with a black body has her head bowed as she sits on the ground and contemplates life after the brutal attack.
Letele says the woman is slipping into depression.
"It was not easy to paint about rape, although I do touch on emotional subjects.
"I felt compelled to depict the aftermath of this horrific act and how devastating it can be to women. I worry about younger women who might have to go through this at some point in their life."
It's probably this profound and layered approach that sets Letele apart from his rudimentary peers who may still be experimenting with colour.
On Sunday Letele will take his place among young painters who will fill up the first Rosebank Art Fair hosted by the Rosebank Sunday Market in Johannesburg.
The young man believes cracking this spot is a sign of bigger things to come. He also feels vindicated that his choice for a career is what he is meant to do with his life.
The energetic Duduza resident who was born in Maseru, Lesotho, says he won art competitions throughout primary school. Last year he completed an artisan course at Klerksdorp College.
This gave him the confidence to carry on painting, and his first creation was of Sarah Baartman.
"I realised I could do more. My brother Isaac is in the creative space too as a hairdresser. I draw inspiration from his work, in fact some of my art features hair pieces," he says.
Letele says he will exhibit at least a dozen paintings and as a promising talent he hopes to snatch a gallery placing.
Michele Zail, events manager at Rosebank Sunday Market, says the exhibition will provide a forum for between 40 and 50 emerging original artists to catch the attention of major art galleries in the city.
"The selection process was all about decent and good quality work. Our team went through the pictures and we invited the artists to come exhibit."
She says the artists will present varied works and come from as far afield as Zimbabwe.
"We plan to have the Art Fair two or three times a year as this opportunity is important for artists whose sole income is from painting."
l The Art Fair is on Sunday at Rooftop Market of Rosebank Mall from 9am to 4pm.
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
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