Colour used to tackle social ills
Contemporary artist Patrick Seruwu depicts women's struggles and aims to inform with his artwork.
Kensington-based contemporary artist Patrick Seruwu has a simple message to put out through his paintings – protect our women!
Originally from Uganda, the artist has been drawing and painting portraits of women for the last two years.
The central theme of his work has been to engineer a strong representation of women and their resilient spirit in spite of their daily struggles.
His paintings have been exhibited and continues to be on exhibition in several art galleries around Joburg.
This has enabled Seruwu to get attention from art lovers based in France, Italy and the US.
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Seruwu, whose art portfolio stands at over 60 sold paintings, found his passion for art through a friend.
His connection to women came while he worked at a salon in Malvern where he plaited women’s hair.
He has three sisters and was raised by a single mother.
“My work is about women and what I attempt to do is to depict the experiences they go through on a daily basis. I achieve this through the emotions that extend from the paintings,” explained Seruwu.
He said that the closeness of the relationships he has formed with women over the years has allowed him to get an intimate look into their lives, and developed a deepened understanding of being confronted by some of their hardships.
“I interview these women and I have very long conversations with them. I ask if they are safe at home, how they earn a living and how they spend their days,” he said.
Through the answers he derives, Seruwu explained that he translated his understanding of his subject onto the canvas, resulting in some of his art pieces.
He said his work has been well received, both locally and overseas.
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“I try to bring out as much emotion as possible so that people can understand what happens to women, not only in my community, but the world at large.
“My work has been well received from within the community and also in other countries. I’m determined to continue working hard and to show people the realities of what women go through.
“My goal is to ultimately go into the community and to educate and inform,” said Seruwu.
