DESPITE being a pencil artist passionate about wildlife and cultural themes, Noel Junior Musekiwa also has a unique talent in providing an oral and written narrative to support each of his creative work.
Musekiwa told NewsDay Life & Style that his drawings A Honey Badger, An African Warthog, A Female Leopard Lying on a Tree, A Sad Herd Boy and A Meerkat Standing Up on a Tree carry with them a lot of teachings for human upright moral consciousness and well-being.
Musekiwa said the story of the honey badger illustrated that even in the toughest times, one should in that desperation have somewhere or someone to turn to for comfort and support, just like Haka and the river.
The story goes as follows: “As the scorching sun beat down on the savannah, a honey badger named Haka trudged wearily towards the nearby river. Her parched throat and dry eyes were a testament to the harsh realities of life in the wild. She had spent the day digging and hunting, but her efforts had yielded little.
“As she lapped up the cool, clear water, Haka felt a sense of relief wash over her. She closed her eyes, letting the river’s gentle flow soothe her frazzled nerves. For a moment, she forgot about the struggles of finding food, avoiding predators and fending for herself.
“In that tranquil instant, Haka realised that no matter how tough life got, she always had the river to turn to. Its calm waters listened to her silent struggles, offering solace and rejuvenation.
“Just as the river quenched her physical thirst, it also slaked her emotional thirst for comfort and understanding. Haka knew she wasn’t alone; the river was always there, a constant friend that never judged or abandoned her.
“With renewed strength and a heart full of gratitude, Haka returned to her burrow, ready to face another day. She knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, she could always find solace in the river’s embrace.”
Musekiwa puts thorough attention to shades as well as keeping a focus on portraying the desired emotional intent on all his drawings and, therefore, giving people a much clearer picture.
He accepts that the visual arts industry in Zimbabwe is vibrant and diverse and exhibits talent and cultural heritage through various mediums like fine art, sculpture, painting, digital art and so on.
His next solo exhibition is scheduled for October and despite not having received any awards yet, he vowed to continue working towards creating impactful art that resonates with the audiences.
“I’d like to teach others the importance of patience, dedication and staying true to their artistic vision.
Quitting is not a great idea in any situation as there is always a breakthrough in every aspect,” Musekiwa said.
“I recommend embracing one’s unique style, exploring different mediums and continually learning from others in the industry. Without commitment, we will never start and without consistency, we will never finish.”
Here are the other four stories:
An African Warthog Standing Still
In the heart of the savannah, a warthog named Kibo gazes at a breathtaking sunset. The sky is set ablaze with hues of orange, pink and purple, a kaleidoscope of colours that leave him awestruck. Transfixed, Kibo stands still, his tusks gleaming in the fading light. The warthog’s eyes shine with wonder, his snout twitching slightly as he struggles to comprehend the beauty before him.
Time stands still as Kibo basks in the splendour of sunset. His worries about finding food, avoiding predators and navigating the wild fade away, replaced by a sense of connection to something greater than himself.
In this moment of wonder, Kibo realises that life is full of beauty and magic, waiting to be discovered.
Sometimes, all it takes is standing still and marvelling at the world’s splendour to appreciate its true beauty.
As the sun dips below the horizon, Kibo slowly comes back to reality, his heart filled with gratitude and his spirit renewed.
He knows that he will carry the memory of this breathtaking sunset with him forever, a reminder to always appreciate the beauty in the world around us.
Female Leopard Lying on a Tree
In the heart of the forest, a sleek leopard named Maidei sprawls across a sturdy tree branch, her eyes gazing blankly into the distance.
Her usual grace and poise are replaced by a sorrowful demeanour, her ears drooping and her tail limp.
She lost her cub, just the day before. The pain of its passing weighs heavily on her heart and Maidei feels utterly alone.
As she lies there, a gentle breeze rattles the leaves and a faint whisper seems to carry on the wind.
“Maidei, you’re not alone.”
The leopard’s ears perk up and she looks around, wondering who is speaking to her, but there is no one in sight.
The whisper seems to come from all around her, echoing off the trees.
With a newfound sense of peace, Maidei closes her eyes, allowing the forest’s embrace to envelop her.
She knows that she will always carry her cub’s memory with her and that she will never be truly alone.
“In this story I was trying to highlight the idea that even in times of sorrow and loss, we are never truly alone. We have the support of those around us, the comfort of our surroundings and the memories we hold dear to keep us company,” Musekiwa said.
A Sad Herdboy
In the small village of Mhondoro, a young boy named Taku is known for his exceptional herding skills.
He takes great pride in watching over his family’s cattle, ensuring their safety and well-being.
One fateful day, while Taku is out herding, disaster strikes.
Two of his prized cattle wander too close to a hidden hole, an old abandoned well and tumble in.
The hole is so deep that the cattle’s cries are silenced by the darkness, leaving Taku in a state of utter despair.
The boy frantically searches for help, but the village is far away and he is alone.
As the sun begins to set, Tatu is consumed by darkness, both physically and emotionally.
He feels as though he has lost everything, his cattle, his sense of purpose and even his connection to the world around him.
A Meerkat Standing Up Tall
In the scorching desert landscape of the Kalahari, a meerkat stands tall, her eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of danger.
She is the sentinel of her clan, responsible for warning them of potential threats.
One day, a fierce sandstorm rolls in, reducing visibility to almost zero.
The winds howl and the sand stings her eyes. She refused to budge, standing firm against the tempest.
As the storm rages on, her clan huddles together in its burrow, fearful of the unknown. However, she remains steadfast, her head held high and her eyes fixed on the horizon.
Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind threatens to knock her off balance, but she digs her claws deep into the sand and stands her ground.
The storm rages on, but she refuses to yield. When the skies finally clear, the clan emerges from their burrow, blinking in the bright sunlight.
They see her, still standing tall, her fur windswept but her spirit unbroken.
The clan is inspired by her bravery and resilience. They realise that just like their sentinel, they too could face any challenge as long as they keep their heads up and stand tall.
“This story teaches us that, no matter what challenges we face, we should always keep our heads up and stand tall, just like the meerkat. By doing so, we can overcome even the most daunting obstacles and emerge stronger on the other side.”
