Rasta whose real name is Lebani Sirenje, is South Africa’s most popular painter who has displayed paintings of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Ensuing to jet off to Buckingham Palace in London to paint yet another portrait of the Queen. Following her death on September 8.
In an interview with the artisan, he told Mgosi that he resonates so much with painting prominent figures. In order to honour the legends who have departed.
“So that I live a mark also and their families to treasure the painting that will be given to them as we celebrate their lives,” Rasta said.
Lebani says he aspires to portray the late Queen Elizabeth in London for the reason that:
“Painting the Queen will be a great achievement of my career as I always paint the dignitaries and those who we look up to as our role models.”
ALSO READ: Rasta Displays Queen Elizabeth’s Portrait Anticipating To Land In The UK
Hence he is asking for donations to fly aboard to pursue his goal and mainly because he does not afford to from his own pocket.
“I need transport for me to be there and be in front of mourners and paint De Queen as dis will put me on da world map yes I’m famous in SA so dat will stretch ma wings and be seen worldwide and stand for Africa,” Sirenje states.
With the amount of controversy already going on in South Africa, especially online regarding the Queen and her death.
Rasta believes that there is controversy in every human being especially when they pass. We all talk and say whoever was good or bad but only God is to judge.
He continued, “In our culture umuntu umthanda njalo esefile it’s bad lucky for you to talk bad dings with dem anywhere ma art is free and no boundaries to select who to paint and who not to I’m looking forward to be part of dis big funeral and be counted.”
The celebrity painter also mentioned that his most proud moment or painting is of the renowned Winnie Madikizela Mandela. Which makes him more adamant to want to go to London and do the same for the Queen.
“Proudly when I did of da former statesman Nelson Mandela it was such a big one too juss like da one eka Mama Madikizela.”
Rasta painted da Late Queen🕊. Let’s donate for his flight to go paint at the funeral service in London at her rest place🇬🇧👑.
And pick which picture do you want painted👨🏾🎨.#RIPQueenElizabeth #QueenElizabeth pic.twitter.com/x5Bkf8Jqpw
— Rasta The Artist (@RastaArtist) September 8, 2022
If and when the artist manages to go to London, his next move is to elevate from where he is currently. He told publication that when he comes back, fans will learn to take him and his work seriously. In hopes that they will also support his craft.
“And see dat I’m not just painting nje as dey always criticise but to take me seriously wen I post ma work I’m so looking forward to be deh and show pipo dat every thing is possible wen you put all your heart and mind into it,” Sirenje penned.
Being a celebrity painter for Rasta all started when people thought he was crazy for illustrating stars. But deep down he was so positive that he will one day make it.
“As ma grandmother Gog’MamHlanga Maisa from Plumtree Zimnyama said one day I will be a great artist as I was still in primary school so for me I kept hearing dat as I pushed ma art to dis level,” he expressed.