Lebani “Rasta” Sirenje unveiled a life-size sculpture of himself at his recent solo exhibition.
The controversial artist's timeline has been flooded with congratulatory messages from his fans after he held a successful showcase at the Africa Museum in Newtown on Saturday.
After witnessing Lungelo Gumede's life-size statue of veteran Kwaito star Zola 7 at his tribute concert in April, Rasta said he had an idea to collaborate.
“That sculpture is going to be there with his story. I'm so grateful. I was touched. Whenever I paint someone and give a painting it can bring emotion.
“I was waiting for this day. I was very honoured and proud to have my work presented there. It means a lot, since I'm celebrating 25 years in the industry,” he told TshisaLIVE.
Rasta took to his social media timeline on Sunday to share a glimpse of the event.
The exhibition was held nearly two decades after Rasta's first showcase at the Johannesburg Art Gallery.
The artist exhibited 300 portraits, including of several well-known celebrities, with the aim of setting a Guinness world record. The exhibit will run for six months.
“We are still checking the stats, but I still want to break the record. The number of my paintings should be in the Guinness World Records because 300 portraits are a lot,” he told TshisaLIVE.
Rasta is promoting the exhibition with the hashtag “Fill Up Museum Africa”.
“People will learn art is something very powerful. I've seen children come in and out of the museum, so my paintings educate them. They will recognise some of the faces, from Chris Hani to Robert Mugabe.
“They will learn the history of politics, sports and performing arts in SA. I tried to capture the most powerful ones.”
Though the Zimbabwean-born star has often been dragged on social media for painting pieces that do not resemble their subject, Rasta says his art opens people's minds.
“When I paint, it gets people talking about it. With art, there's no criticism because it's practised.”
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