GOVENDER
Sugashna Who are you and what do you do? My name is Sugashna Govender. My friends call me Sigyn. I’m a 26 year old self-taught artist from Gauteng, Pretoria.I use a variety of mediums such as paint, ink, colour pencils and pastels but I’m most comfortable with Pigment Liners and Graphite pencils. My style leans towards fantasy, realistic portraits and surrealism. Why do you do what you do? Art is a way to express ‘me’. From a young age, I’ve always been motivated by the beauty of fictional literature, gaming concepts and animated movies- there’s a wondrous magic to it and art is a way to convey my own kind of magic and share it with the world.
What’s integral to the work of an artist? Inspiration and passion. There is nothing more beautiful than doing something you’re absolutely passionate about. Art is an expression of you. It’s the voice of the artist as music is to a musician. For me, nothing can be found as a difficult challenge if I’m excited to attempt it.
What role does the artist have in society? I think artists’ play a huge role in society. They’re the architects who design the beautiful cities we live in for example, they are a piece of the puzzle that teaches you a valuable lessons in your favourite animated movies or the creators of those breathtaking sculptures at historical places that preserve our cultural How do you work? I dedicate at least an history. An artist is responsible for interpreting hour or two to sketching and drawing at their version of beauty and inspiration to their night. With art being a hobby, I look forward audience. to returning home after a day’s work to do an activity I love. I draw motivation from What has been a seminal experience? instrumental contemporary music. I’ve had the opportunity to assist with projects with friends from Ingress Communities. (Ingress What’s your background? I was born in is augmented reality gaming by Niantic best Dundee, Kwa-Zulu Natal and moved to known for their release of Pokémon Go). I Pretoria at the age of 16 and completed designed a logo for the EBL (Enlightened Grade 12 at Hoërskool Uitsig in Centurion. I Bundesliga- league) a German community studied a course in HR Administration with that tests the skills of its gamers and various Intec. medals and apparel had been created with it. My biggest experience had been being I am the youngest sibling of four, with two a lead concept artist of the Ingress Portal nieces and a nephew. I love my brother and Luminescence Projects held in Californiasisters. My eldest niece is super supportive of the Luminescent Heart 2017 that inspired my artistic abilities and a huge inspiration global collaboration by designing a lifethat fuels me. size steampunk heart and Project Liminal Continuum- May 2018 by assisting in concepts What jobs have you done other than of an infinity illusions and interactive being an artist? I am a sales consultant art posters. for a watch company called Farah Watches and previously worked as a supervisor for a supermarket.
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