The art of survival
WHERE I’m from is broken but where I’m going to is greatness. These were the words of Asaeli Rainima, a confident young artist better known in the field as Aston Prescott.
Aston’s life has taken different turns filled with unimaginable experiences. The 23-yearold tells his experience as a local artist fighting the daily struggles of life and keeping up to his art.
Aston said he grew up living in a squatter settlement and had always harboured a passion for drawing and painting at a young age.
As far as he could remember, art has always been a part of him – sketching whatever thoughts came to mind on paper. His skills developed and so too his paintings, some of which he managed to successfully sell.
He remained honest to the trade and two years later secured a spot at Tamavua to build his very first studio. It was to be the location to establish himself as an artist, but things took a turn when landowners took down his studio. His studio cost him $17,000 and was located a 100 steps from the main road. It had been funded for the sake of his art.
But those struggles did not hinder his dreams at all in fact it gave him a reason to keep on doing better.
“I have been an artist all my life, always envied colours and shapes. Grew a deep passion in my alone times, just thinking and wondering how I could make something better, give or take situations, I had always thought about my future and regretted making poor choices. I grew up with absolutely nothing, no future fund and no kind of security,” he said.
He relies on his specialty of pencil portraits and paintings to earn money. Even at times Aston would accept food in exchange for his artworks.
Aston said selling his art began at 16 years old, when he started buying things at his house a little at a time – quickly filling in the shoes as the man of the house.
“I dealt with my struggles through patience and perseverance. Good things don’t come easy and easy things don’t come good. I taught myself all the knowledge I could and pushed myself to unknown limits, I was not afraid to risk everything I had”.
Aston was also present at the art exhibition on September 9, 2020, at the Fiji Museum. His paintings were among collections of other renowned artists.
He said he encouraged youths to believe in themselves.
“Believe in your guts because at the end of the day you create your legacy and no one else. Work hard and be bold and straight forward, be strong as our God is strong,” he said.