"Sweetheart" Print by Lele Msibi

Inkjet on Moab Entrada Paper 24 in x 36 in  Edition: 1/10    ORIGINAL ARTWORK “Sweetheart” 28" x 44" Charcoal and Joint Compound 2024 At the age of 10 years old I started my journey in volunteering. The very first little child I taught to read strikingly resembles that of this little “Sweetheart” you’re looking at. He was a very small premature little boy who had probably the brightest smile I’ve ever seen on a child. This orphanage I volunteered acted as the saving grace for thousands of children who happened to be found or if they were lucky enough; brought to this home to be taken care of by selfless house mothers. And gladly with the intervention of the school I attended, were provided with the means to learn and grow in an environment where people cared for their well-being and education. An experience they wouldn’t have otherwise had if they weren’t saved from their homes. “Sweetheart” is what this little boy called everybody. And I mean everybody. It didn’t matter who you were,