WATCH: Local designer takes art to another level #MakingIt
KwaThema – His passion for drawing led Frans Mashaba (28) to start designing and making cars (especially sports cars) from wire, but, he has now elevated his craft to using metal sheets, to make his creations more real and durable.
The KwaThema resident says he has been artist since the age of 14 years; drawing sports cars and other designs he would come across.
“My older brother used to make wire cars for me when I was growing up, which really fascinated me and, with time, I also learnt how to make wire cars,” he says.
“After some years of creating various designs from wire, I wanted to explore other materials which I could use to make the cars more appealing and real.”
Mashaba started using aerosols containers to cover the bodies of his wire cars, which then sparked the idea of using flat metal sheets.
He explains that the process is very long and requires concentration, because of the intricate detailing that is required.
“It takes me a month to finish one car; it’s not an easy task and the fact that I don’t have the necessary tools, which could make the process much easier, also contributes to the time factor,” he says.
After completion of the body, the artist paints the cars and installs accessories, such as lights and a sound system.
Even though Mashaba is still pursuing his engineering studies, he says his dream is to be a car body designer.
“I enjoy designing cars; I can make any car a client wants, but what I really love is designing sports cars, it’s just one of my passions,” he elaborates.
He takes pride in the fact that his talent will enable him to make a living for himself through sales he makes.
Mashaba says his future plan is to install motors in his cars, so they will move with a remote control.
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