By Prudence Mathenjwa
Second-year Fine Arts student at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) is already making waves in the art world with her deeply personal work.
Siyethemba Ngubane’s latest painting, showcased at a recent DUT Fine Art Exhibition, is a heartfelt tribute to her late mother and brother, both of whom passed away when she was still a baby learning to walk.
The piece, titled ‘Traces Are Forever’, depicts her seated in the middle of the canvas, flanked by her late mother and brother on the sides. In her hands, she holds an image of herself as a baby in a walking trainer; a reminder, she says, of the girl they saw and left behind.
But while rooted in loss, the painting is not meant to evoke sorrow.
“It’s not really a sad story,” she explains.
“I wanted to show that I am happy, that I feel their presence with me in every journey I take. Life goes on as long as you keep loved ones in your heart.”
Art runs in her blood. Growing up, she learned that her brother had left behind sketches of her favorite cartoon characters. She believes her own gift for drawing is an extension of his talent something she is determined to carry forward.
“I guess I got the artistic side from him,” she says with a smile. “I took it as something I wanted to do for the talent to continue.”
The exhibition was her fourth, but by far the most significant. With many other artists participating, she admits she was overwhelmed by the number of people drawn to her work.
“It was so overwhelming, I was scared but happy as people came up to view my work even though they had their own different opinions and ideas about the artwork and what it means, which I loved. They would call me to the side and ask me about it and then get an understanding of it and the title.”
Now, with her sights set on the future, she is determined to expand her practice beyond the gallery. She plans to pursue a career as a full-time artist, working in painting and ceramics while also venturing into animation, an area she is already skilled in.
“I want to share my work with everyone, not just here in South Africa but internationally as well,” she says confidently.
For her, ‘Traces Are Forever’ is not just a painting, it’s a promise: to honor her past, live in her present, and create a future that ensures the family she lost will never truly fade away.
