CHITUNGWIZA-BASED visual illustrator Shawn Mburuma says social media has been a great platform to showcase his artistry as an emerging artist.
The 18-year-old artist told NewsDay Life & Style that he began drawing at a tender age, noting that art is not something he learnt, but an inborn talent.
“I can literally draw anything, but right now I am only focusing on doing portraits of famous people to showcase my artistry.
"I have also been participating in national competitions where we were given specific topics to bring something on," he said.
“I am not yet earning a living through my art, I am just getting a token of appreciation as they are also advertising my art. It is difficult, but it could be another way to be recognised.”
For his drawings, Mburuma uses charcoal pencils, coloured pencils, soft pastels, oil pastels and graphite pencils on paper.
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To date, Mburuma has done portraits of award-winning musician Jah Prayzah born Mukudzei Mukombe, singer Michael Magz (real name Michael Magondo), entrepreneur Tinashe Mutarisi of Nash Paints and entrepreneur and internet sensation Murambiwa “Magic Wacho” Ndou.
Since his school days at Dudzai Primary School in Chitungwiza, the visual artist has been taking part in different art competitions including the Tavatose Annual Schools Arts competition held in 2018 and 2021 at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.
In 2021, Mburuma won the Agricultural and Show Arts competition first prize at the Mutare Agricultural Show.
Born in Harare, Mburuma attended Mutare Boys High and Lyndel House College in Chitungwiza.