Parktown North resident sketches portrait of President Ramaphosa
PARKTOWN NORTH – Local portraitist Julie Wessels sketched a portrait in honour of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Parktown North resident and artist Julie Wessels has sketched an impressive portrait of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who she describes as a visionary leader during the Covid-19 crisis.
The Gazette interviewed Wessels to find out more about the story behind this artwork.
Wessels works full-time as a portraitist, specialising in the sketching of individuals and families.
She said that aside from portrait studies, art has functioned as a coping mechanism for her during an abusive childhood and bullying at school.
“Just over three years ago, I stopped drawing. I struggled a lot with gender dysphoria at the time and couldn’t focus to connect with my art while being unable to embrace my authentic self.
“I came out as a transgender women in January 2019, started living full-time as a woman and embracing myself since February 2019.”
Since November last year, Wessels has worked full-time as an artist.
The portrait of President Ramaphosa forms part of a series of portraits she has created of South African influencers who inspire her, entitled: Visionary leaders.
She explained that the president brought hope to all South Africans the moment the pandemic reached our nation. Wessels commended Ramaphosa for taking responsibility for the health and safety of all South Africans at this time and taking decisions to prevent harm.
“Since his election, he caught my eye, vouching for the LGBT+ community on multiple occasions – me representing the ‘T’, I stand with anyone that enforces equality and inclusion for all people, regardless of gender, race, background or religion.”
Wessels explained that she created this artwork as an expression of gratitude and as a show of support for Ramaphosa.
She has been pleasantly surprised by the support she received on the #ImStaying group on Facebook, where she posted the sketch art.
Wessels based the art on a photo which displays Ramaphosa smiling, which she found on his social media platforms. She tagged Ramaphosa on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram but had not received a response from him at the time of reporting.
“I do hope he sees and comments on the sketch I did in his honour,” concluded Wessels.
Follow Wessels on ‘Julie Wessels Art‘ on Facebook.
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