Durban mourns local artist

THE art community as well as general public in Durban has been left in shock after the sudden passing of Matthew Pastellides, a Durban artist commonly known as Pastel Heart.

Friends, family and the Glenwood community took to social media to pay tribute to the young artist who had created beautiful murals not just in Glenwood and the beachfront and Durban surrounds but around the country.

The 23 year-old visual artist studied fine art but worked in the an assorted art medium including graffiti, tattooing, digital illustrations, chalk art, photography, styling, and pastel heART was also a fashion label.

Cayleigh Lazarus, a local photographer and school friend of Pastel Heart said his friends and family were still in shock and his death was “devastating news to the art community.” “He had such a gentle character and will be sorely missed. I hope they leave all his murals up as a remembrance and tribute to his amazing work.

“Matthew was always a free spirited, amazing personality and a great talent! I’m so glad I spent two years of my life studying fine art with him, sharing moments of laughter and crazy art projects!”

Tributes poured in on various social media groups describing the young artist as a “brilliant talented soul” who “brightened our neighbourhood with so much colour, not to mention our lives.”