21 year old artist Thandolwethu Manana "Thando" from Eswatini is currently studying Bachelor of Digital Media in the University of Botswana and we would argue that he is among one of the best the university will ever produce.
He is simply an artistic protégé in a various number of fields. It would be an injustice to the world not to experience the greatness certified to come from whatever Thando puts his mind to.
Thando's art consists mostly of portraits in painting and pencil amongst other media. His personality greatly influences how he he creates. He surely is a quietly beautiful soul and thus a reserved individual who would much rather show how he feels through his pieces, a skill carefully curated through dedication and sheer talent which are qualities he possesses and evidently wields to his will.
Thando’s soft and calm demeanor translates itself in the way his art pieces give off a smooth and dulcet look which gives us a glimpse and essentially a tour into the artists internal environment .
He draws inspiration from everything around him, especially people.
"I enjoy capturing the essence of different people"
"Black Eve"
Black Eve is an impactful piece centered around black femininity and how black women continue flourishing even with the weight of their everyday burdens socially or systematically.
It is safe to assume, the man is a feminists. The depiction of the flowers not quite placed on the subject but rather growing from her is just how Thando really drives the message home and quite effectively so.
The background of the picture is drentched in cold colors (the dark blues and greens) whilst the women is placed in a yellow light, coincidentally resembling a halo with a smile on her face despite the darkness that surrounds her.
The use of red and yellow induces a sense of warmth and creates an indisputable sense of affection for the subject. The flowers beautifully depict and re-establish the softness and fragility of a black women who is normally stripped of these traits and made to seem less loving and less nurturing than her fairer skinned counterparts. The smile on her face further propels us to admire her and acknowledge the beauty of her resilient nature.
All in all, Thando made this painting a beautiful depiction of black women.
Notion
These three pieces tell a continuous story with the author/artist depicting how creativity starts with "Notion"; just a simple idea in one's mind.
This is seen in the first painting where one's thoughts flourish into concepts and ideas.
The person then uses those ideas to form their creation through "Harmonious Hands".
One's mind and hands work in harmony to form a complete artwork.
In the second painting the use of a bird which signifies freedom, shows that an idea is freed to create the final complete art piece in the story.
Love that there's a message behind the art
the art is absolutely breathtaking
Love art that's created to represent and uplift black woman that have been looked down on for so long
Black Eve is beautiful 😻