Loyiso Mkize

I was in Butterworth, 19th
March 1987. From a young age i
had a great interest in art. Constantly
sketching, doodling and painting
as i grew up, my interest eventually
became my passion. This is pretty much what I do, I
am an artist in the full sense of the word.
I achieved my diploma qualification
in graphic design in 2009 and now
currently work at Strika entertainment
as an illustrator for the Supa Strikas
comic that comes with the Sunday Times
newspaper every month. When I'm
not illustrating comics, I paint.

I generally paint with oil paint
on canvass. My subjects are generally
of African origin depicting different aspects
evident in this rich
continent. I focus on the emotion,
emphasizing brush strokes on skin
texture and the eyes. This really brings
forth the spirit of the subjects. Its not
about achieving perfection in technique
but evoking a certain emotion
when the viewer meets the artwork.

The subjects I
portray embody a message of self
awareness, acknowledgment, strength,
presence and even hope, in a society
predominantly dumbed down not to
notice the human condition. The art itself
does not pose a solution, but perhaps a
platform in which we can all communicate
freely.
My work carries with it the responcibility
as an African to preserve our identity.
To proudly place it in front of the rest of
the world saying, we are more colourful
with our diversities. This is what the children
of tomorrow should know. This art
is what I leave them with.