Images, courtesy of Sichumile Adam
Sichumile Adam is a student at the University of Witwatersrand, pursuing a degree in Fine Arts. She was born in KwaZulu-Natal and grew up in Johannesburg where she is currently based and completing her studies while navigating herself as an emerging black artist within the art space.
Take us back to when your interest in art began and how you got involved in art.
I have always liked art, when we were still young, my sister and I used to watch cartoons and draw characters, and I also used to draw things that I like. Throughout my school years, I have taken visual arts as a subject and my teachers were always encouraging and taught me more about art as a professional practice.
What inspires you and what is the creative process behind creating your artworks?
Right now my inspiration comes from the relationship that I have with myself, the relationship that I have with my blackness, and my womanhood. Also, growing up, I was surrounded by women, I was raised by my single mother, and I grew up with my sister, Chuma. I am in sisterhood with my friends, I have met and experienced different types of women – women who look like me, that is where my inspiration comes from and I hope that is also reflected in my practice as an artist.
My creative process is stimulated by everyday interactions and awareness. I could describe myself as a walking studio, my ideas are influenced by photography, archives, and music, I love jazz and classical music, music that puts me in a good mood, and I like working on different artworks because that allows me to play around more and I can bring together more and different elements to my artworks.
How has your practice developed over the years?
My progress as an artist has been a nervous yet exciting journey which is also full of unanswered questions and stuff. Like, when I was in school, I used to create art, you know, just to explore but now I am exposed to criticism and the socio-political aspects of being an artist especially as a black woman in art so right now I am just navigating myself in this space but it is an exciting journey.
Which medium is your favourite?
I think I am inspired by the medium charcoal but I work best with paint. I love the textured feel charcoal gives and how it reacts on different surfaces. Even now with the paintings that I am doing, it is as if I am mimicking charcoal and a lot of people tend to think that I work with it whereas it is paint that I am using which is funny because in high school I did not like dry medium, I used to find it difficult working with pencils and stuff but when I got to first year, I started experimenting and fell in love with charcoal.
I notice that you have been working with black and white, do you have a preferred colour scheme?
Yes, you are right, I work mostly with the colours; black and white but I am pushing to experiment with other colours. Well, with the artworks that I am currently working on, I am introducing colours. I am using the colours; pink and blue, and I don’t know I feel like they are the colours that speak to me right now.
What is your best piece up to date?
I don't have a piece that I could say it's my best as of yet but the portraits that I have started creating are becoming my favourites. I have scaled up a lot more, I've got a larger surface to play around with and I can experiment more.
Who would you say is your favourite artist?
Before I would probably mention a very well-known artist but since I am entering the art scene, you know being an art student, I am surrounded by incredible artists of which amongst many are my friends. The art that they are making is so different and unique – they are creating art that I wish for everyone to experience. They are the ones that I relate to the most when it comes to art.
Any fun projects that you are currently working on?
Right now, I'm experimenting as much as I can, I don't want to tie myself to a specific idea. I am just working on widening my visual language. I am also working in collaboration with my sister on a project and focusing on finishing school.
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