Barber boasts brilliant artwork

When Mbongeni Msani cuts hair during his day-to-day life, every time he cuts off a lock of hair he thinks of his next brushstroke across one of his artworks.

The undeniably talented artist made waves in the international art community recently, after he showcased his artwork at the FNB Johannesburg Art Fair.

This was the second time Mr Msani participated in the event.

“I definitely noticed myself how much my artwork has changed. I feel like I have grown as an artist. I was a lot more focused this time around,” he explained.

Mr Msani said the art exhibition allowed him to take note of the other styles of artists from around the country and the globe.

One thing he noticed that really made him happy, was that his art style was unique.

“No other artists implemented my recycling style of using cans, newspaper, paper mache, masonite and even blankets,” he believed.

“We go through our lives not noticing the things around us. This is a problem. The world is beautiful, we should be enjoying it, not letting it just go by.”

Currently, Mr Msani is privately tutoring 13 children on the finer points of art, helping them to develop their skills.

One of the first tasks he set for the children was to draw something seemingly ordinary in an extraordinary way.

“When they can do this, then they are thinking outside of the box.”

Thanks to the art fair, Mr Msani was invited to exhibit his work in Spain and Switzerland, but these galleries will not fund Mr Msani’s trip.

He has approached the Department of Trade and Industry for assistance, but their help may still only come months from now.

For now Mr Msani is grounded, but if any residents would like to assist him, they can contact him on 076 646 4885.