WHEN democracy finally happened for the people of South Africa, there was a young boy named Athi in Mdantsane who could see all his dreams coming true.
At only 10 years old at the time, Athi said the idea of a new and free Mzansi made him dream even more and believe that more is coming.
He has now grown up to see his dreams come true. He’s now an artist who uses performance, photography, video and textiles to create art.
Athi-Patra Ruga (39) spoke to Daily Sun about life as an artist.
“My journey into art is such an auspicious one. It has been 30 years of democracy in South Africa, and I was 10 in 1994. I remember the joy and attitude that was in the air from 1994 until the late 90s and early 2000s when everyone felt like they could be anything they wanted to be because there were so many possibilities open for them.
“That’s where it all started and I think for me I've always had that idea that one is not enough, that just my one voice cannot be communicated in one thing that is known as art. Hence, I am now into different dimensions of art. From when I could start drawing, my parents were supportive and helped me,” he said.
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He went on to study fashion design and got into different forms of art. But he's back into painting now.
“Finding a way in which my work can stay and that’s what museums can do easily. By collecting, a museum is able to create a place whereby a child a young artist can be able to see how they get how their stories are told,” he said.
Athi just bagged a collaboration with Zeitz Mocca, the largest museum of contemporary art from Africa, which is based in Cape Town.
“In the work that is in the museum, there’s a lot of world-making, surrealism and extra, extra, extra. That correlation and synergy is what moved me in studio in my work, wanting to make this multimedia experience that will come alive.
“However, I’m here to have fun. We deal with such tough subject matters in studios, but to be able to come in a victorious way and just enjoy, it’s a beautiful thing," Athi said.
