Artist Spotlight: Skumbuzo "Skubalisto" Salman
“I am not a writer; art and painting are my `weapon’ of choice. For me, the makings of a true artist lie in the fact that an individual can create and express, no matter what medium they use.”
Last week we focused on some incredible designers, today we turn our spotlight on to a truly gifted artist - Skumbuzo Vabaza. Skumbuzo is a fine artist and muralist based in Cape Town, whose work addresses pertinent issues around social justice, identity and belonging, primarily through spray paint, acrylic, oil pastel and charcoal portraits.
We chatted to Skumbuzo to find out about the healing nature of art, and his artistic journey and influences.
SL: Introduce yourself
SV: My name Skumbuzo "Skubalisto" Salman
SL: Were you always artistic as a kid?
SV: My pops was assassinated when I was 3 years old so his name and legend always followed me around. He was my first super hero and I spent most of my early years drawing different versions of him. Art became a tool of dealing with questions no one had answers for, it became a form of prayer, it became a tool of communicating the unknown.
SL: When was the moment you realised that you could leap into making art full time?
SV: I tried to do things "the right way,” make my family proud and that, but after working a few jobs I realised that served someone else’s dreams and killed mine. I had a short stint studying advertising & marketing which was essentially tricking people into buying things they didn't need... I went back to the only thing that helped me figure things out. Painting and I just didn't stop. It became a full time job as a biproduct of me committing so much time to it.
SL: If you weren’t an artist, what job would you pursue?
SV: I would probably be a farmer, like painting, farming is a collaboration with GOD.
SL: What is one upside and one downside to being an artist that you would have never realised?
SV: Upside: You get to explore the infinite on a daily basis, turn your thoughts and ideas into reality. You mostly work on your own time schedule. Failure is a valuable tool for growth and evolution.
Downside: People's opinions on your thoughts and ideas plays a role in your success as an artist. Paradox of not caring but caring. It's hard to switch off and be present, which has a negative effect on relationships.
SL: What are you biggest influences in your art making process?
SV: Chaos; making a mess and letting everything that can go wrong, go wrong. Then finding the divine order in that.
SL: What's the best advice you would give to someone teetering on making the jump to being a full time creative?
SV: Give your art space to grow organically. Have another hustle to keep the wolves fed, so that you do not have to compromise your art/vision to pay bills.
Skumbuzo wears the Shelflife A/W '24 Packable Anorak Jacket, Shelflife Signiture Nylon Shorts, Shelflife Socks and Nike Field General '82 'White and Orange Blaze'