THREE paintings on display at The Crescent’s Rhino meets reality campaign paint a bleak picture of the rhino’s future in South Africa and Grade 11 Durban High School pupil and La Mercey resident, Nikhil Luckan, is the man behind the amazing paintings and story.
The first of his paintings, titled The way it should be, tells the story of rhinos in their natural environment and how life should be for these majestic animals.
His second painting, The world is closing in, shows rhinos running from the challenges they face in modern society, such as poaching.
His last painting, Ghost rhinos, is a story about what will happen if the current situation does not change and if people don’t change the way they think.
His art teacher, Nirvana Kusial, said it really is a precious message.
“He is a real gem. He donated all these paintings to be auctioned off in a silent auction at The Crescent,” she said.
“We need to keep an eye on him in future and encourage him. If he’s already this good, he can only get better,” she added.
His father, Yashaen, said he is very proud of his son for donating these paintings to the mall’s Rhino meets reality campaign, in aid of Project Rhino.
“He is so considerare and sensitive to social issues and issues surrounding the environment,” Yashaen said.
“What I like about his work is that he goes beyond the visual and mechanistic aspects of art and sends a clear and strong message about the rhinos’ future,” he added.
For Yashaen it is encouraging to see that the youth can still connect to the real world (like his son via his paintings) and not just with the virtual world.
Nikhil said he would enjoy art for a cause as a life-long hobbie, but hoped to study medicine or architecture after school.
