Foot painter’s perseverance inspires digital documentary
Don t let a disability disable you, says Butterworth artist
A Butterworth artist who uses his feet to paint portraits of African landscapes is now the subject of a documentary.
Siyasamkela Toli was born with phocomelia, a condition that gives rise to malformed arms and legs. However, it has not held him back from pursuing his dreams as an artist.
“If you are living with a disability, don t disable ’ yourself is his mantra. ”
His story of perseverance is told in a documentary produced by East London-based media company, Anonymous Media Lab.
Toli said art played a huge role in his life. Art is me, I am art.
“It allows me to express myself without “having to use words.
“When my feet get tired I use my mouth to draw portraits that speak to my culture and heritage, as well as the landscapes around me, Toli said. ”
Toli, who has shown his work at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda, works from his one-room flat in Butterworth.
My dream is to have my own workplace “where I would be able to conduct workshops, even if it meant I started out small and grew into a bigger space.
“Working in a one-room flat has been a challenge. ”
He said growing up in Butterworth had taught him resilience.
It was no accident I was born this way.
“People in my area were scared of me because “they didn t understand my disability.
’ I didn t pay much attention to that negativity “’ and chose to create friendships with people instead. My character spoke for itself,” Toli said.
“I did everything with my feet.
Even those who tried to bully me, I would “throw stones using my feet to defend myself. ”
Leroy Mnyulwa, co-founder of Anonymous Media Lab, said Toli s story had inspired him. ’
Mnyulwa, who founded the company with partners Jae Kitando and Van AJ Klaus said: “” We felt as though people needed to see the “strength that is Siya.
Siya s story formed a part of a project we “’ were doing as Anonymous Media Lab called 'The Review', where we profile small businesses and review their work,” Mnyulwa said.
The media lab specialises in documentaries, television adverts, commercial TV shows and short films.
He said they were working with local streaming service Montywood, founded by creatives at Kumkani FM.
We hope to one day have a studio where “we can have multiple productions going on under one roof,” Mnuylwa said.
The digital documentary on Toli s life can ’ be viewed on the Anonymous Media Lab s ’ Facebook page.
Toli said he was grateful to those who had encouraged him along the way.
“I have people who ve given me the platform ’ to showcase my work and I am grateful,” Toli said.
He said many businesses had been affected by Covid-19, and his was no exception.
My art only sells once I travel outside the “city and go towards the coastal areas.
But things have been very slow, I can only “hope that business will pick up,” Toli said.
Toli s artwork can be purchased by calling ’ him on 061-939-5511.
My dream is to have my own workplace where I would be able to conduct workshops, even if it meant I started out small