Glad Ngobeni becomes popular muralist
A 23-year-old self-taught artist believes his art communicates with others.
Tsonga Glad Ngobeni, known as Sir-Glad, hails from N’wamarhanga village and started his career doing portraits and is now an accomplished muralist. “It feels like a dream! When you start something from scratch with no connections, everything is hard. “For people to trust your work took a lot of dedication.”
When he started doing portraits, he had no other source of income, and buying the materials for his work was challenging, but he kept telling himself that one-day things would change for the better. “That is why I appreciate even the smallest of changes and progress in my work.” He says that as a young up-and-coming artist, he hopes that his work will one day be recognised in the art world. “I love painting with all my heart.”
Also read: Glad makes art work for him
“When someone asks me to paint something for them, I do it happily. “I believe that I will go far and one day work for big companies.” He says in primary school he used to draw stories in a drawing book. He later realised that he could make a little money from his work. His first customer was his high school principal for whom he made a portrait.
He says because he lives far from town, buying supplies remains a challenge. “I have to travel long distances and it takes up time which I could rather use to draw or paint.” He is currently doing murals for schools and crèches. Among others, he has painted the walls of Rixile and Tinghwazi early childhood learning centres near his village. “I have many schools and people who are now looking for my work,” concludes Glad. Contact him at 076 385 7359.
