VISUAL artist Nyaniso Lindi beautifully expresses himself through his art.

VISUAL artist Nyaniso Lindi beautifully expresses himself through his art.

Lindi, from Grahams_town in Eastern Cape, is a creative artist whose hard work and dedication has paid off.

Three weeks ago Lindi won the Gerard Sekoto Art Award that honours young people who show extraordinary art talent.

Lindi walked away with R80000 and he will fly to Paris for a residence programme for three months.

"It is a great opportunity for me to explore the world and learn about different cultures," he says. The programme will give me an opportunity to prepare for my solo exhibition when I return.

"I will also host workshops and share ideas with other artists."

Lindi will have solo exhibitions at Alliance Francaise Galleries in southern Africa.

The print-making specialist was given the award for a linocut, which he titled Tribute to Noria Mabasa.

"The piece is a tribute to the veteran sculptor Noria Mabasa," Lindi says. "She deserved to be honoured in her lifetime.

"She has done a lot for the field of art. More than that, she gave back to the community by building an art school in Venda," he says

Lindi has always been creative and began drawing at a young age.

He later joined an art school in a township. He says he learnt a lot at the art school.

After completing his matric, Lindi went to study fine arts at Rhodes University. He is now doing his Masters in Fine Arts.