Embrace the twists and turns of your learning journey
We aim to shine light on different career paths every week, to educate and allow young people to discover new interests.
Selecting the correct career path is a crucial decision with far-reaching implications. It is a choice that will shape your future, underscoring the importance of making an informed decision.
Over the next few weeks, the African Reporter will engage with business people, professionals, and other role players, focusing on a specific career field every week.
Through this, we aim to provide valuable guidance to our younger readers navigating their career choices.
This week we give a platform to a career in visual arts.
Duduza resident Orlando Movane (29) gained a passion for drawing in 2016 when he realised he had the potential to draw. He then decided to embark on a journey to become a visual artist.
What is a visual artist?
A visual artist is a creative professional who expresses ideas, emotions, and narratives through visual media. Their work encompasses a diverse range of mediums, including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, illustration, digital art, and more.
What does a visual artist do?
Visual artists are creative minds who communicate ideas, emotions, and narratives through their art, employing a variety of mediums and techniques to express their vision. They are not only responsible for the creation of their work but also for the management and promotion of it within the art community and the broader market.
They create pieces that may serve aesthetic, conceptual, or social purposes, often reflecting personal perspectives or commenting on broader cultural themes. As visual communicators, they play a vital role in shaping visual culture and contributing to the dialogue between art and society.
What high school subjects do I need to become a visual artist?
You can choose:
• Business studies
• Mathematics or mathematical literacy
• English (compulsory)
Pass the above with at least 50% for English (home language or first additional language) and 40% for mathematics or mathematical literacy, 40% for life orientation (excluded for APS calculation), and 50% for any other three compulsory vocational subjects. Requirements may also differ as per institution.
Where can I study visual arts?
You can study at:
• University of Johannesburg
• University of the Witwatersrand
• University of Cape Town
• Central Johannesburg College and other universities of technology such as the Tshwane University of Technology. The Bachelor of Arts (BA) takes three years, full-time to complete.
What are the daily responsibilities of entry level visual artists?
• Creating artwork to develop a personal style and portfolio
• Studying art history, theory, and contemporary practice.
• Attending workshops and courses to refine techniques.
• Networking with other artists and professionals in the art community.
• Participating in local art shows or group exhibitions.
• Managing personal social media accounts to display your work.
• Seeking feedback and critique to improve your artistic abilities.
Are there different visual artists?
Yes, visual artistry is a broad and dynamic field that encompasses a diverse range of specialisations, each with its own unique focus and medium.
• Illustrators are visual artists who specialise in creating images that complement or explain concepts, narratives, or ideas. They often work in publishing, creating artwork for books, magazines, and other printed materials.
Illustrators might also work in the digital realm, designing images for websites, video games, and animations.
Their work requires a strong ability to convey stories and messages through visual representation.
• Painters express themselves through the medium of paint, using a variety of techniques, styles, and surfaces. They may work with oils, acrylics, watercolours, or mixed media to create their pieces. Painters can be found exhibiting their work in galleries and museums, working on commissioned pieces, or selling their art directly to collectors.
Some specialise in portraits, landscapes, still life, or abstract compositions, each requiring a unique set of skills and a deep understanding of colour, texture, and composition.
• Sculptors are artists who create three-dimensional works of art using materials such as clay, stone, metal, or wood. Their work can range from small, intricate pieces to large-scale public installations. Sculptors must have a strong grasp of form, space, and structure, as well as the physical properties of their chosen materials.
• Concept artists are specialised visual artists who generate illustrations and designs that help bring ideas to life, particularly in the pre-production stages of film, video games, and animation. They create visual representations of characters, environments, and objects, providing a blueprint for the creative direction of a project. Production team.
• Multimedia artists are contemporary visual artists who integrate multiple forms of media, such as video, digital art, sound, and interactive installations, into their work. Their work is often showcased in modern art galleries, festivals, and public spaces, engaging audiences in immersive and interactive experiences.
