Rasta faces fresh backlash over controversial new portrait of Presley Chweneyagae

Controversial Zimbabwean-born portrait artist Lebani Sirenje, famously known as Rasta, is back in the spotlight, and so is the criticism.

This time, the target of his brush is the late actor Presley Chweneyagae, best known for his lead role in Tsotsi.

Rasta pays tribute to Presley Chweneyagae

Rasta unveiled the painting of Chweneyagae this week, and while some praised his effort, many social media users found the piece unrecognisable.

” Whether you love or question his work, one thing’s for sure- Rasta shows up to honour our legends,” posted Tinashe Eugene Mushanguri on Facebook.

“Who is this supposed to be?” asked one user on Facebook, referring to the painting. He joked, “Rasta has to be stopped. Seriously, we need a petition.”

Rasta has been here before

This isn’t Rasta’s first run-in with public scrutiny. Over the years, Rasta painted countless public figures, often at funerals or memorials, and each time, Mzansi has something to say. From Winnie Madikizela-Mandela to Oliver Mtukudzi, his art tends to trend, sometimes for the wrong reasons. But Rasta has always stood by his work.

Rest In Peace Chweneyagae

As the Presley portrait continues to trend, one thing is clear: Rasta’s work, however it’s received, has become part of South Africa’s cultural fabric.

Chweneyagae, affectionately known to many as “Cobrizi” or “Mokwepa,” passed away last week at his home in the city. He was 40. Chweneyagae rose to fame for his powerful performance in Tsotsi, the gritty South African drama that went on to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2006.

Who is Rasta?

You’ve probably seen a Rasta painting. But before all that, he was just a kid in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, born in 1977, drawing whatever caught his eye. He started sketching around age seven and never really looked back. No art degree, no formal training, just years of practice. More than ten years ago, he crossed the border into South Africa, like a lot of Zimbabweans trying to find something more. That’s when he went pro. These days, he’s known for painting portraits of famous people, mostly after they die, and like it or not, his work always gets a reaction.

Do you think Rasta deserves more respect, or is the criticism fair?

Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.

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