Elliot Sithole (37) of 
Katlehong in the East Rand, Gauteng, is a fine artist who believes that living in a democratic South Africa enables artists to express themselves in ways that communicate important messages to the world.
As the country commemorates Youth Month, Sithole told Vuk’uzenzele that he is honoured to be able to showcase his artistic talent to a global audience.
“Technology and social media have had a huge impact on artists. Previously, many artists never had the opportunity to showcase their work like we do today. We are very privileged to be part of this generation, and living in a democratic country helps us express ourselves in many ways through our talent and communicate with the world through art,” he said.
In 2014, Sithole completed a fine arts degree at Wits University and an animation degree from the National Electronic Media School in Johannesburg. He pursued a career in the arts because he has always loved art and drawing from the age of five.
He specialises in contemporary art and primarily uses black and white acrylic paint to give his work a charcoal-like effect.
“I could not imagine myself doing anything else except art, and I received support from my uncle, who raised me.
What sets my work apart is that I use brush strokes to focus on themes such as dreams and the happiness we experience while growing up as children, telling stories of childhood dreams that were never shared or achieved,” he said.
Among his career milestones is collaborating with major brands, including Edgars, and supplying four stores across the country with his wearable art T‑shirts. In 2021, Sithole won the Sunday World Unsung Heroes Award.
This recognition followed his first solo exhibition, Faces of You, which he held in Johannesburg in 2021. He hosted another exhibition, Dreams, in 2025, also in Johannesburg.
“Faces of You was inspired by the COVID‑19 lockdown, when many people died and others lost their jobs due to the pandemic. I spent a lot of time on social media and noticed that South Africans are extremely resilient. Many people deal with pain by smiling, even in the midst of hardship.
“That inspired me not to dwell on my pain. I focused on painting different faces, smiles and races, because no matter what we face as Africans, we continue to move forward with hope,” he explained.
Sithole called on the government to invest more in fine artists and create opportunities that would allow them to sustain their craft and businesses while showcasing their talent globally.
“Art can save many children from substance abuse and other social ills. To South African youth, no matter how difficult things become, never stop pushing your craft or ideas. Never stop dreaming or working hard, because someone is always watching, and opportunities will come when you least expect them,” he concluded.
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