Heroin@work
By Tamelyn Bock
A South African mouth painter has an opportunity to establish an international career after receiving an invitation to showcase his art at a festival in Switzerland from August 8 to 14.
Former South African fitness instructor and yoga teacher, Lee Wyser, invited Heiron Joseph Nel (43) to exhibit his paintings at the Springbok Bar and Café, and Holmes Place Lounge in Zurich, after his work was featured on the TV show, Kwêla KykNet.
Nel told ThisAbility that he would be showcasing 16 art pieces on canvas. “I have decided on a 50/50 project, meaning capturing some of Switzerland and African art as well,” adding that there is a huge demand for African art as well as historic European captures.
Wyser (56) who will host the exhibition, told ThisAbility that she had invited Nel after seeing how talented he is. “To support Heiron, I ordered a few paintings of iconic places in Switzerland – a great investment I believe.”
She added that she hoped Nel would receive the worldwide recognition that he so “rightfully deserves”.
“We just need to get the awareness out there,” Wyser said.
The artist who was born in Springbok, Northern Cape, but who now resides in Cape Town, is a paraplegic after a diving accident in Paternoster in 2005. He started painting as a hobby after the accident with neither art experience nor formal training.
“Make every second count in your life and remember no matter how dark things in one’s life may look, there is always light at the end of the tunnel,” Nel said.
“It is not an easy world for the physically challenged,” Wyser told ThisAbility, saying she wished Nel would become a full-time artist with no financial challenges.
Janine Klaasen, who assists Nel while painting, describes him as “an amazing human being with a sense of humour”, who cares about others. “He paints beautifully, and I compliment him often. I hope he achieves amazing things in life.”
Nel told ThisAbility that he is still raising funds to travel to Switzerland. Anyone wishing to donate to the cause can contact Nel by email: josephhr00@gmail.com
