WATCH: Meet Wadelin McKuur, the young artist who lets his fingers do the drawing
Living for the love of ART.
South Africa’s dark past and the lack of opportunities available to people of colour, meant that parents steered their children’s futures. After completing their school careers, many knocked on the doors of the big bank, CV in hand, ready to take on a job which their parents would be proud of.
For those who excelled academically, and whose parents could afford it, obtaining a degree at one of the universities in the country was considered a ‘decent’ job. For those with artistic inclinations, the future was an uncertain one.
This could not be truer than in the case of 18-year-old Wadelin McKuur, who, by his own admission, has not received much support from the community.
McKuur is an artist whose lifelike sketches and drawing are done in pen. While conducting the interview at the Extension Four flats, the Eldorado Park Urban News reporter was struck by the appreciative comments from passersby who commented on the artworks displayed on his easel.
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Things have not been easy for McKuur, who sketches in pen, pencil, whiteboard markers and soft pastels.
He said, “Art isn’t that big in South Africa, so it’s a bit tough being taken seriously, especially by people in your community.”
“All they think is ‘corporate’ and I believe that there’s a way bigger contribution I can make than going into the corporate sector. So it’s difficult getting commissioned work as a visual artist unless you’re open-minded. At school, there was not really emphasis placed on art as a sustainable career path.”
The art prodigy expressed his desire to explore oil painting and pursuing a career in animation, but hinted at the cost of materials and studying as a major stumbling block.
He views himself as somewhat of a pioneer and said that he would like to be one of the first to prove to the naysayers that there is a wealth of talent in Eldorado Park.
The area has earned infamy as a breeding ground for a high rate of substance dependence and crime. According to McKuur, his fervent wish is to erase this perception through mentoring and training young artists.
“I would like to be the first to prove that you can make a living as an artist. I hope to inspire younger artists to follow their dreams and try other mediums like exploring the digital world, which is really taking off right now.”
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“I would love to connect with other artists in order to mentor and train them by showing Eldos through my art that there is a hope and a future for the children here. Most people have negative things to say without being aware of the rich talent this community has to offer,” he said.
While watching his fingers gliding across the page as he completed his latest offering, I could not help but think if we could all dedicate ourselves to following and pursuing our passions, surely our dreams should be firmly within our reach?
Wadelin McKuur can be reached on Facebook at Wadeville The Artist McKuur, Wadelin the Chad McKuur, or on Instagram at Wadeville and on WhatsApp on 065 108 8062.
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