Fine Art alumnus Siphesihle gets a shout-out from award-winning artist Drake

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Siphesihle Ntsungwana and his artwork.

Fine Art alumnus Siphesihle gets a shout-out from award-winning artist Drake

SOFTCOPY REPORTER

One day, Durban University of Technology Fine Art graduate, Siphesihle Ntsungwana woke up to a flood of notifications on his social media accounts. When he checked, it was his friends telling him amazing news that multi-award winning, multi-platinum Canadian rapper and international star Drake had not only given him a shout-out on his stories, he had also used the portrait he had created as a profile picture.

The 24-year-old fine artist and illustrator couldn’t believe it. He wanted to pinch himself to make sure it really was happening. This wasn’t just any artist, but someone who’s a role model to Ntsungwana.

The rapper reposted the portrait on his Instagram stories, tagged Siphesihle and then changed his Instagram photo. In an interview with Drum Magazine, Ntsungwana said: “I was inspired by his latest album so I had time to listen to it when it came out, then the next day I wanted to express my enjoyment of it through painting. I loved the fact that it was produced by one of our own, Black Coffee, even more.”

He told the publication that he didn’t expect this at all as all he was doing was what he loves - painting. “It was a surprise. I woke up on [the album] release and saw a notification from Apple music about the album. I’m a huge fan of Drake, that’s why I enjoyed the whole album even though others bashed it,” said Ntsungwana.

He continued to share: “So, it inspired me to express myself as a big fan of him, the album made it so much easy for me to do some more work not necessarily of Drake but others while listening to the album.” This is not the first time that Ntsungwana has won the hearts of the rich and famous through his work.

He told Drum Magazine that during his studies, “We had an exhibition in a gallery here in Durban and that was where many people started to notice my work this included the likes of Okmalumkoolkat, who also fell in love with my work.”

And as the cherry on the top, Drum Magazine reports that Ntsungwana received a call for an interview to be featured in the American online newspaper, TMZ and for him it feels like a dream come true.

“It was a crazy and surprising moment for me, I did not anticipate receiving that call and being on their website and people showing love for my work on the comment section. I am happy to be one of the artists to be posted on Drake’s stories, as a big fan of him.” He says he hopes to receive more recognition of his talent as time goes on so he can sell his work.

This article was originally published by News24. com on August 12, 2022. You can read it here: https://bit.ly/3AkVzYN