Antonius Amugongo, a self-taught visual artist specialising in realistic pencil drawings, is passionate about drawing people’s images.
The 28-year-old started drawing at the age of 17 when he was in grade 11. He is currently an unemployed graduate from NIMT, with a diploma as an electrician.
Amugongo told Youth Corner that he was inspired by sketching and hyperrealism, which is an art form of creating illusions by enhancing reality.
He said during this devastating time of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is not easy to get jobs, so he decided to follow his talent and become a full-time visual artist in order to earn income to survive.
“I started drawing real people in 2016, and many people were inspired by my work. So this gave me the courage to keep doing the great work,” he said.
Amugongo said he started doing visual art because he loves sketching since he was in grade 2. He always wanted to be a specialist in realistic pencil drawing.
“I have faced many challenges but I did not give up, because I have always been committed towards my work. Sometimes, I find myself in a situation where I do not get enough materials, but I keep pushing,” he explained.
Amugongo said being an unemployed graduate does not mean one cannot do anything, and urged his fellow youth not to wait for anyone to buy for them, even soap, while they have talent.
“The little money that I normally get from my daily work of drawing people’s images is the money I use to buy food for the house, and also to support my siblings who are still in schools,” he said.
Amugongo said more people are becoming familiar with his artwork because people like what he does, and promised to strive to become the best visual artist in the north.
“To my fellow youth out there with talents: the time is now, pick up the pencil and start practising drawing, work on the craft and be the artist you want to be. Invest in your talent and have confidence in everything you are doing,” he advised.
Amugongo is based in Oshakati’s Ehenye residential area and his Instagram handle is @antonius_junior.
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