PUPIL’S ARTWORK GOES VIRAL
A LEARNER’S artwork has gone viral after his teacher posted it on Facebook.
Celeste Arendse, a visual arts teacher at Schoonspruit Secondary School in Malmesbury, was so impressed by Cohnwille Swarts’ work she decided to share it with the world.
“The art I shared was of his Grade 12 work, which consisted of four art pieces and one exam piece to be submitted for the year,” Arendse said.
Swarts, 18, is from Abbotsdale, just outside Malmesbury.
Arendse continued: “Every year we usually have an exhibition for students in the school hall and parents and members of the community are able to view their work. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the exhibition was only available for the classroom and held in my class.
“Seeing his work, I could not see this alone. This work would go to the Western Cape Education Department for moderation, but before that I had to show others how talented he is.”
Swarts said he derived inspiration for his drawings, which have the theme “Poverty”, from “where I live, my environment, my home circumstances”.
His attention to detail and perfect eye is what makes his art even more captivating.
“I have always loved drawing. I have been drawing since I was in Grade 3. I love it because I know this is my talent. My dream has always been to become an artist,” Swarts said.
The learner said he lost his mother during Covid-19 and his father a few years ago and is living with his grandmother and uncle.