The Portraits Of Chuma Somdaka

WORDS Michaela Stehr VIDEO Time 4 News on YouTube.com IMAGES mynameischuma.wordpress.com

Cape Town-based artist Chuma Somdaka doesn’t have a studio, or a home. She creates portraits of people she meets while living on the streets.

Thirty-one-year-old Chuma is from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape and has been living on a park bench in Cape Town’s Company Gardens for two years. In 2007, she lost her leg in a hit-and-run accident and now uses a prosthetic.

“I have a passion for visual arts and design, and would some day like to be able to study for a degree in the field,” she says. “Today, I am only thankful that I’m able, through drawing and painting, to have money to use towards my needs. You can find me sitting on the Government Avenue with my art displayed.”

Each of her brightly coloured portraits tells a tale of the people she meets in town, some, close friends and some strangers. Chuma uses the public library to update her blog with images of her work and the stories of the faces behind the portraits.

“Visual art is a gift I’ve come to learn more about, as I draw and sketch portraits of street people who are happy and willing to have me sketch and exhibit them for sale in the gardens,” explains Chuma. “It helps me clear the bad energy around me and centre myself. It also enables me to have self control in my day to day lifestyle, by allowing me to create something out of nothing. Seeing my art bring joy or insight to an indivdual is priceless and gives me joy.”

Chuma is now preparing for her first exhibition and has received a bursary to go to art school.

Visit Chuma at the Good Company Farmers Market every Saturday from 8:30am to 3pm where she will be selling original works, prints and cards.

You can donate to Chuma’s living expenses via her blog.