Welkom’s very own internationally acclaimed artist, Nkoali Nawa, has released a new set of charcoal drawings depicting the lives and ethos of the everyman during the KwaZulu-Natal riots of 2021.
This new set of charcoal on fabriano board is a representation of the police, national defence force and looters during riots in July 2021.
The lack of police manpower compelled the state president to deploy the South African National Defence Force to combat the looting whereby businesses, infrastructure, trucks and cars were destroyed.
Some people also lost their lives in stampedes.
“My intention as an artist is to show humanitarian empathy with regard to the loss of human lives and the loss of jobs,” says Nawa.
“My other intention is to tell authentic South African stories through my work.
“Art is life. Life is important. You cannot separate art and life. Art is my life. I won’t compromise.”
His preferred mediums are oils, charcoal and multimedia, and he has created sculptures using resin and clay.
Nawa’s favourite subject is people, and his artwork focuses on ordinary people going about their everyday lives.
“Through my art I want to give these people dignity because of the services they render to society.”
Nawa was born in Thabong, where he received his schooling.
He matriculated in 1985, after which he started working on Saaiplaas Mine as a mineworker in 1986.
He also had a stint as a mine security officer. Eventually he received training as a miner before leaving the mines in 1990.
Nawa completed his National Diploma in Fine Art through the Central University of Technolgy (CUT), Free State, in 1997, and his BTech in Fine Art in 2000.
After graduating, he left the Free State for Cape Town, where he discovered the world of art. From there he also had the opportunity to travel the world.
His paintings have sold in leading galleries all over South Africa, from Johannesburg through Bloemfontein to Cape Town.
Nawa’s works have also been featured in galleries in Sweden, the United Kingdom, France and America. These works are contained in private and public collections in South Africa and America.
