FINE artist Tatenda Melody Tichapondwa’s name might be new in the mainstream world of creations. However, through her artifacts she is showing huge potential and a thriving career ahead.
Her passion is slowly lifting her to greater heights. Born in the early 1990's, Tichapondwa cannot be labelled a budding artist, as she has been working behind-the-scenes for over two decades.
“I started drawing in my early childhood, when I was a primary school student.
"Seeing my peers (male counterparts) that time interested in drawing, I developed an interest and decided to give it a try.
"I was doing it at home after school. I was shy to do it at school because other girls were not interested in the subject and also avoiding societal backlash, art was considered a boys thing,” she told NewsDay Life & Style.
Art was once perceived a male area, that is why to date it is male-dominated and some of the famous and greatest artists of all-time are also males.
The self-taught artist said: “No one helped me, I honed my skills alone and up to now I have never been to a school of arts. Despite facing many challenges like lack of equipment, no access to art studio and a gallery for exhibition, I will soldier on until my dreams are fulfilled.”
Tichapondwa’s creations are meant to instil hope and perseverance in spite of turbulent times and financial hurdles.
- Passion drives female artist
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“As people we will always encounter problems every now and then, my creations try to comfort, console and encourage people to always be optimistic.
“In life nothing is permanent, we all go through different phases, hard times tend to break many people, through art one can be healed emotionally.
“Some problems require art therapy and by looking at artistic creations one will definitely introspect and also change mindset,” she said.
Her wish is to open an arts school one day and a gallery for up-and-coming artists targeting girls, who often struggle to find spaces.
Tichapondwa said the girl child should always work hard and not expect freebies, to avoid being exploited.
