Meet the man who painted our November issue cover! Nicky Chovuchovu captures the humour of life on canvas, with his paintings displayed in collections around the world. Now, he is sharing his love of art with others.
Art has always been a part of Nicky Chovuchovu’s life, but over the years, he has explored various styles, developing his own take on the Fauvist movement that inspires him. Growing up in Zimbabwe, Nicky watched his father, acclaimed artist Norman Chovuchovu, paint with a palette knife on canvas, a technique that he still uses today. “Expressionism allows you to record your emotions on canvas,” he explains. “It’s more than just what you see in front of you – it’s personal.”
Nicky’s first job was as a commercial artist, doing silk screen printing and display art, but in 2001 he took the plunge to become a professional artist, reading everything he could find about Matisse and other Fauvist artists, and delving deeper into his own creativity. Nicky’s work is a vibrant depiction of life around him, using pure colour and expressionist-style brush strokes.
When he first moved to SA in 2003, Nicky sold his paintings on the road in Fourways, Johannesburg, getting up early to catch commuters on their way to work. “I am inspired by things around me and like to draw on the funny side of life,” he says. It’s that ability to make people smile that earned his art a place in people’s hearts.
However, Nicky hasn’t always found it easy to see that lighter side of life. “I went through a depression, where I couldn’t paint, I couldn’t do much. I didn’t know what was happening until I heard someone on the radio, talking about their own experience.” Over time, Nicky worked through some difficult issues and his recent exhibition at Woza Moyo at Embocraft was quite prophetically entitled “A spring in his step”. “Paula Thomson came up with the title without knowing what I had been going through,” explains Nicky. “I just knew it was right.
Since moving to KwaNyuswa, KZN late in 2003, Nicky’s work has been exhibited at the Tatham Art Gallery in Pietermaritzburg, KZNSA and at Art in the Park, amongst others. He has also trained as a plumber and works in property maintenance to fund his art.
“We are all born creative in our own way, but that is often discouraged in favour of a more academic career path,” he says. “It’s important to introduce children to art early, as it stimulates right brain development and will help them to find creative solutions in all spheres of life, no matter what path they choose. Well, except accounting because we wouldn’t want accountants to be creative with the numbers, would we?”
Art can also serve as a vital coping mechanism, providing an outlet for stress and trauma. “Painting can be seen as a luxury, but it’s cheaper than therapy,” Nicky quips. “It’s important to nurture creative ability at all ages. That way, we can escape our inner struggles and leave our stress on the canvas (or whatever medium you choose).
“Having a beautiful painting on your wall is like a holiday each time you look at it. Creating it has the same effect and it doesn’t have to be a masterpiece. Copy one of your favourite artworks, relax and just enjoy the process. It’s your personal expression and doesn’t have to fit any box,” he says with a smile.
Nicky is a natural teacher, possessing a rare ability to communicate the intricacies of the creative process and encourage his pupils to give it a go. He has been holding workshops for primary school pupils at St Charles College in Pietermaritzburg since 2009 and recently started a series of similar workshops for all ages at the Hillcrest Aids Centre. His first two workshops in July and August were sold out.
During the sessions, Nicky presents one of his paintings for participants to copy, adding their own stamp to the composition. It is fascinating to see the varying interpretations and the joy that the process brings. “It’s such a fun, family activity,” said Kim Behrens. “It’s wonderful to be able to let go and have fun.”
“Let art be art,” says Nicky. “Just give it a go – be free!”
Nicky Chovuchovu runs painting workshops for birthdays, small groups and team building 072 596 5999 chovuchovu@gmail.com
