Young artist supports rhino cause

DURBAN High School’s Nikhil Luckan is the artist behind three paintings on display at The Crescent’s Rhino meets Reality campaign which paint a bleak picture of the rhino’s future in South Africa.

The first of his paintings, titled The way it should be, tells the story of rhinos in their natural environment and how life should be for these majestic animals. The second painting, The world is closing in, shows rhinos running from the challenges they face in modern society, such as poaching. The third painting in the trilogy, Ghost rhinos, is a story about what will happen if the current situation does not change and if people don’t change the way they think.

Art teacher Nirvana Kusial, said the three paintings broadcast a powerful message . “He is a real gem. He donated all these paintings to be auctioned off in a silent auction at The Crescent,” she said.

“We need to keep an eye on him in future and encourage him. If he’s already this good, he can only get better,” she added.

His father, Yashaen, said he was very proud of his son for donating the paintings to the mall’s Rhino meets Reality campaign, in aid of Project Rhino.

“He is so considerare and sensitive to social issues and issues surrounding the environment,” Yashaen said.

“What I like about his work is that he goes beyond the visual and mechanistic aspects of art and sends a clear and strong message about the rhinos’ future,” he added.

Nikhil said he would enjoy art for a cause as a life-long hobby, but hoped to study medicine or architecture after school.