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Yvonne Ncube, Showbiz Correspondent

ABSTRACT painter Unalina Ncube, who began painting at a young age, has established himself as a socially conscious artist by coming up with portraits for display in the community whenever there is a social activity taking place.

Rising by the name Unnna Le Artist, the young artist said he turned to art to address the despair that was caused by the absence of a fatherly figure in his life.

Recently, the artist from Pumula North suburb in Bulawayo showed his social consciousness when he presented a portrait to the Mabaisa twins on their 70th birthday celebration.

The Mabaisa twins, Violet and Jester

“I did the portrait for the twin sisters after finding out that there was going to be a huge party for them.

As a socially conscious artist, I decided to do something special for them. I grew up in Entumbane and that’s where I knew the Mabaisa twins from,” Unna Le Artist said.

He said he also painted a portrait for the musician, Sikhosana Buhlungu to decorate his new homestead in Nkayi when people teamed up to improve the artiste’s livelihood.

“I pitched in with a portrait for Sikhosana when people around the world joined hands to build a home for him. So, the painting was for decorating his new homestead in Nkayi. This is how I get to intervene in socially responsible activities.”

The fine artist who draws, paints and does abstract art also specialises in wildlife drawings. He said he started pursuing art at an early stage as a hobby and later decided to take it up as a profession.

“I remember when we did art competitions at Mlambapele Primary school in Gwanda and I was part of the top three winners. Our art was displayed at the school’s administration block and from there, I knew that I was good at art although I kept it as a hobby.

“I started chasing art full-time after high school because I was very passionate about it. Art is a good hobby, it’s my passion that keeps me interacting with people and getting to know people,” the artist said.

He said he was raised by a single mother and the absence of a fatherly figure in his life fueled his passion for art.

“I was raised by a single mother so the misery of lacking a fatherly figure fueled my passion for art. Art was my shoulder to lean on whenever I was depressed. Art was always my remedy. I like how I’ve grown to love it. I’m still in it and turning it into a business.”

After completing A-Level studies, the artist said he trained as a mechanical engineer at the National Railways of Zimbabwe Training College.

“I did this course because my mother, as an old school parent, had that vision for me to acquire education so I had to put my art aside. I had to understand her vision to make her proud,” said Unna le artist. – @SeehYvonne