Wole Adedoyin interviews Adelina Vitus Ndunguru: The Artist has a Unique Skillset to Influence, Inspire, and Help Others
WA: PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
AVN: My name is Adelina Vitus Ndunguru. I am 26 years old and a self-taught female artist from Tanzania. I specialize in creating realistic drawings and have been pursuing my passion since 2017. I am organized, efficient, and hardworking, always eager to discover and implement new ideas. I consider myself a good listener and communicator, whether working in a group or individually. My motivation and skills are directed towards achieving meaningful objectives.
WA: TELL US MORE ABOUT ART IN YOUR COUNTRY.
AVN: In Tanzania, the art of drawing still has a limited market and is not as highly valued as other forms of art like music. While there are many talented artists, their work is often difficult to sell due to the lack of market opportunities. This challenge forces many artists to abandon their craft and pursue other professions. Many believe that drawing cannot sustain them economically, seeing it more as a hobby than a viable source of income. Additionally, artists often face undervaluation of their work, selling pieces at low prices despite the significant effort and costs involved in creating them.
WA: HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT IHRAF BEFORE?
AVN: Yes, I have heard about IHRAF before.
WA: HOW ARE ARTISTS USING ART TO PROMOTE HUMAN RIGHTS IN YOUR COUNTRY?
AVN: Artists in Tanzania use their work to advocate for human rights by addressing issues such as violence, sexual abuse, child labor, gender inequality, and more through their drawings.
WA: WHAT THEMES DO YOU PURSUE IN YOUR ART?
AVN: I focus on themes related to child labor.
WA: WHAT TYPE OF ART DO YOU IDENTIFY WITH MOST?
AVN: I specialize in realistic pencil portraits.
WA: WHAT ROLE DOES AN ARTIST PLAY IN SOCIETY?
AVN: Artists play a vital role in society by fostering creative expression, which is essential for a healthy and open-minded community. Art inspires people, gives them hope, and resonates on a deeper emotional level where words often fail. An artist has a unique skillset to influence, inspire, and support others.
WA: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ART FORM?
AVN: My favorite art form is drawing, particularly creating portraits.
WA: WHAT OTHER JOBS HAVE YOU DONE BESIDES BEING AN ARTIST?
AVN: Besides being an artist, I have worked in accounting, as I have a background in it.
WA: WHAT DOES AN ARTISTIC OUTLOOK ON LIFE MEAN TO YOU?
AVN: An artistic outlook on life involves integrating one’s sense of life into their work. It shapes the choices an artist makes, influencing the themes, styles, and elements they incorporate into their creations.
WA: WHAT MEMORABLE RESPONSES HAVE YOU RECEIVED ABOUT YOUR WORK?
AVN: The most memorable response I have received is, “You are talented.”
WA: WHAT DO YOU DISLIKE ABOUT THE ART WORLD?
AVN: What I dislike about the art world is that artists are often not given priority or the recognition they deserve.
WA: WHAT DO YOU DISLIKE ABOUT YOUR WORK?
AVN: I don’t like feeling disappointed with my work, especially when it doesn’t meet my expectations.
WA: WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR WORK?
AVN: I enjoy spending a lot of time on my art, as it allows me to focus deeply on creating something meaningful.
WA: SHOULD ART BE FUNDED?
AVN: Yes, art should definitely be funded.
WA: WHAT ROLE DOES ARTS FUNDING PLAY?
AVN: Arts funding plays several important roles, including:
Supporting artists financially.
Helping to improve standards in the arts.
Promoting knowledge, appreciation, and practice of the arts.
WA: NAME THREE ARTISTS YOU'D LIKE TO BE COMPARED TO.
AVN: The three artists I would like to be compared to are:
Kelvin Okafor
Arinze Stanley
Silvie Mahdal
WA: WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU'VE BEEN GIVEN?
AVN: The best advice I’ve ever received is: “Don’t give up, keep practicing, and keep fighting for your dreams.”
WA: WHAT IS YOUR FUTURE GOAL?
AVN: My future goals are to become more successful in my art career, establish a school to teach painting, and own my own art gallery.
WA: YOUR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE TO UPCOMING ARTISTS.
AVN: My advice to upcoming artists is to never give up and always work hard.
Adelina Vitus Ndunguru, a 26-year-old self-taught artist from Tanzania, has been creating realistic drawings since 2017. In this interview with Wole Adedoyin, she shares her journey, challenges, and aspirations in the art world.
