How much can you expect to pay for Rasta’s art?

The controversial painter is raking in the cash.

Painter Lebani Sirenje | Image: Twitter

Despite all the flack he has been receiving for the inaccuracy of his portraits, you can expect to pay around R15,000 for a Lebani “Rasta” Sirenje original like the painting he recently did of president Cyril Ramaphosa during the ANC 107 birthday celebrations down in KwaZulu-Natal.

Image: Twitter

Somebody, please remove Rasta out of the Moses Mabida Stadium.

This Cyril Ramaphosa we dont know. #ANCManifesto #ANC107 pic.twitter.com/8TG6M041kj

— Chief Erican (@EricanSA) January 12, 2019

Speaking to YFM’s Oliver Dickson, the Zimbabwe native explained how he got his start in South Africa back in 1996 after moving here from Zimbabwe.

He began working in construction in order to earn a living and support himself while living with some relatives who were based in Johannesburg. He later became a waiter but often spent his spare time sketching and painting those around him.

“After that, I was employed at a restaurant in Sandton and then, from there, I was, like, sketching all the time. When I’m off at home I’d go and do a painting or something…”

After painting his boss and hearing his words of encouragement, he decided to pursue his dream of being an artist on a full-time basis in 2002.

“Then I did a painting of my boss, then he said, ‘No… you must continue with your talent. You can’t be working here when you’ve got this big talent’,” explained Rasta who immediately went and stocked up on art supplies.

He has been working as an artist for over 20 years and cites Sam Nhlengetwa as one of his inspirations.

Rasta became a social media sensation after an image of one of his earlier works trended on social media. He has since carved out a niche for himself painting the portraits of fallen public figures at their memorial services and other public events.

When asked about the criticism about the accuracy of his paintings, he said he did not take it to heart because people tended to criticise his work before he had finished.

Rasta said we judge his incomplete artwork…

… Well he has completed his Cyril Ramaphosa painting now but still this ain't Cyril Ramaphosa 😅😂

cc: @AldrinSampear #ANCManifesto pic.twitter.com/HIad9AWYKg

— XOLI (@Mbhele_Xoli) January 12, 2019

President Cyril Ramaphosa and David Mabuza were like…

"Fu-uuuuuuuuu-sion Hahhhhh!!!!"

😂😂😂#ANCManifesto #ANC107 #Rasta #PeoplesManifesto #ANC @PolitricksSA pic.twitter.com/1hTvrvLNj0

— Jimmy Ramokgopa 💙👨🏿‍💻 (@JimmyRamokgopa) January 12, 2019

“It’s like everything else. People will criticise, but for my artworks, people criticise it before the final painting is done,” said Rasta.

He explained how he began by sketching his subject and layering paint over the sketch until it looked like the person he was trying to depict.

“There are stages that I take when I am painting because if you can see the first layout of a painting then you take a picture [and] show someone else, he or she won’t agree with the painting… but as I work on it [more] it comes out nicely,” he added.

Listen to the full interview here.

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.