By Dalphine Tagwireyi
She puts life on canvas – with her toes.
Nompilo Nkomo, 41, from Bulawayo, was born with multiple deformities in her feet and hands. She also struggles to speak coherently.
But she is a fine artist, who uses her left foot to paint. She inspires hope with her collection, known as “Journey of a Lifetime”.
Nkomo is living testimony that you can turn your life around and focus on the ability to use your talent to create lifelong memories.
“I refuse to be defined by my disability; that’s why I am doing what I love,” she told Scrolla.Africa. “I don’t want people to look down on me or sympathise with my condition, as that is not who I am. I am a visual artist.”
Losing both her parents when she was still a toddler did not deter her. She was raised by her grandmother, who created a supportive environment for her so she could excel in the arts.
Her work captures diverse realities and experiences faced by communities through their encounters with community issues, life and death, religion, economy, food, love, gender issues, land and environmental issues.
“My main prowess is in textiles and paintings. I will be telling everyday Zimbabwean stories through these paintings,” she said.
Nkomo pursued her visual art career at the Mzilikazi Art and Craft Centre in Bulawayo. She now spends her days painting at her own studio in the same city.
Her artwork has been exhibited in galleries in Zimbabwe and at festivals in Germany, Tanzania and Namibia. She thrives on putting life on canvas using paint, buttons and shells.
Nkomo also exhibits her work at Special Schools Arts Festivals in Zimbabwe. Her life and work serve as encouragement and extend hope to children living with a disability.
Pictured above: Nompilo Nkomo and her artwork
Image source: Supplied
