Every picture tells a story
Premier helps after ‘theft’ of artist’s portrait
Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle has stepped in to help Mthatha-born ballpoint pen artist Themba Mkhangeli safeguard his artwork after his latest work showing late rapper ProKid went viral without being acknowledged.
Mkhangeli cried foul after his tribute portrait of the rapper, which he posted on Facebook last week with hi s name written on it, went viral and was even used on national TV without acknowledging him as the portrait creator.
Mkhangeli is a gifted, selftaught artist who uses a blue ballpoint pen to create his portraits.
He told the Daily Dispatch that he was shocked to see his portrait on music entertainment show Live Amp last Friday evening without his knowledge.
“I only wrote my name because I do not have a watermark yet. When I got to Twitter on Friday, I discovered that my name had been cropped out of the artwork, which was trending on Twitter. People who support my work made me aware of this. Then I saw it on Live Amp screens and there, too, my name had been cropped out.”
Mkhangeli started drawing at the age of six but only began taking his gift seriously from 2007, when he was 15.
“I’m still trying to establish myself,” he said.
Provincial spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said the premier wanted to ensure that Mkhangeli was not exploited.
“An East London-based accountant will be helping Mkhangeli register his artistry company so he can watermark his creations.”
Kupelo said the premier would use Mkhangeli’s skills on commission-based work.
Head of SABC public relations Zandile Nkonyeni, said: “The image unfortunately had no watermark or identifier when we got it. It appears the one with the watermark only surfaced after the show aired.”
Live Amp will make an apology on air this Friday and will use the watermarked picture as backing visuals with all credit to the artist.