Young artist blows away Italian art dealer
A young Mohlakeng man has been invited to an art fair in Italy next month, but he needs our help.
For many, art is a hobby. For Mbulelo Mabuto, 25, art was his only escape from the bad things he experienced growing up … and boy, is he good at it!
Last year, two days before Christmas, Mbulelo was busy with some artwork at home when he received a life- and career-changing message on his Instagram account @artmbulelo. It was from Marco Antonio Patrizio, an international art dealer and gallerist from Italy, who was blown away by one of Mbulelo’s art works.
A few days later, thinking this could not be real, Mbulelo received an email from Marco, saying that he loves his beautiful artworks and believes they will be appreciated by art collectors, so he offered Mbulelo an Artist Management contract and invited him to the Vernice Art Fair to be held in March.
“I was very happy and at first didn’t believe it, but then it sank in. For me this was big, the thought of becoming an international artist kept popping into my head and it was all just overwhelming,” Mbulelo said.
He said he read the contract and was satisfied with the conditions, but to make his dream a reality, he needs to raise R15 300 to enable him to frame four big artworks, pay his Artist Management fees and ship the artworks to Italy. So far he has raised R525,92.
“Anyone willing to give any amount will really help me live my dream, build a career and make exhibiting at the art fair a reality.”
When asked what the trip to Italy would mean to him, Mbulelo said, “That my hard work would finally be recognised internationally – not just as a South African but a West Rander. Also, what I have been doing all this time was not in vain. Buying my artwork would be like buying my heart.”
During the interview Mbulelo’s passion was crystal clear. His artwork ‘The Gaze’, drawn with charcoal, water colours, pencil and acrylic paint is close to his heart and is about him gazing into the past and expressing his emotions.
Mbulelo said he grew up in a hostel and “rough area” in Mohlakeng where he saw many bad things happening, such as rape, robberies and murder. After his mom had passed away when he was 12, bad habits such as smoking dagga and drinking became part of his life. His brother even left school too soon. By the age of 19, Mbulelo decided to quit his excessive drinking and partying, and started to focus on and devote all his energy to art.
“Drawing was therapeutic during the bad and difficult times. Art was my only escape,” he said.
Besides the desire to attend the art fair in Italy next month, Mbulelo wishes to one day open his own gallery and studio to inspire other young people. Let’s help him …
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