“Creativity is an energy. It’s a precious energy, and it’s something to be protected,” as Ava DuVernay aptly put it. This sentiment resonates deeply within the realm of visual art, where the act of creating is a sacred journey. Arthur Dlamini, a visual artist whose work captures the sacred journey of the human experience, embodies this idea in a quiet, unassuming way. His work taps into the deepest part of the human experience – joy, pain, healing, and most importantly, love. Unlike most artists, Arthur didn’t immediately consider himself an artist, but his love and passion for art were always a part of him. 

“I would be lying if I said I was drawn to art or I was born an artist, but all I know is that from an early age, I’ve always been an artistic kid. I loved dancing and singing growing up, and I was always in trouble for drawing on school desks and my school books,” he recalls. 

Yet, it wasn’t until the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown that he realised that this passion would grow into his life’s purpose.

Arthur’s creative roots run deep, nourished by personal influences. Central to his artistic identity is his mother, who has been his most significant influence. “Everything my mom did was like a craft to her. The way she cooked, cleaned, and dressed up, everything was artistic all the time. Her creativity has influenced the artist I have become today. I owe it all to my mother,” he says, reflecting on the creative foundation his mom laid for his artistic journey.

Additionally, music is another source of inspiration. “I love music so much that I sleep, eat, pray, and love through music. I express myself through music and having conversations with people, and somehow there’s an image in my head for every story I hear or tell,” he says.

Every journey in the artistic landscape as a creative has its hurdles. However, for Arthur, the focus remains on the responses rather than the obstacles. “The obstacles in contemporary art spaces will always be there, but I am trying to build my own table and not worry much about anything else; my space is about healing and liberating our people”, he explains. Rather than fixating on the challenges he comes across in the space, Arthur leans back into the energy of his art and remembers that he is using his art to heal, spread love and peace, and inspire. “The work I do is beyond being part of a movement, so whether I come across challenges, I am always going to do what I put my soul into, and nothing can stop me,” he says. This approach shaped his artistic journey and infused his work with a sense of resilience that speaks to anyone encountering it.

The process of creating art looks different for everyone; Arthur’s work is guided by his connection to the Divine and his ancestors. 

“Beyond being a creative, my entire existence is guided by the Divine and my ancestors. I don’t know how to put it in words, but there is a presence beyond me when working, creating, or just being. I feel it in how I see through my eyes, I feel it in my body, I feel it in my speech or what I say to people, I feel it in my spirit, and it is one with me. At the same time, it is connected to everything.”

He explains that he finds it very important to stay in tune with the presence whenever he works or creates something. For Arthur, creation is a sacred act. “The process of creation is forever unfolding,” he says. “I open myself to my subjects. I serve them with my gift as an offering to God. It’s that deep for me; I am serving God through my craft.”

His work is engrained with intention and emotion, reflecting a divine connection that saturates his work.

Arthur’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in the philosophy of stillness and meditation, which he believes is critical in the process of unlocking one’s creativity. 

“To be fully present is an illusion but an important one,” he notes. Through meditation, Arthur is able to tune into the energy that guides him through all of his creative pursuits, creating art that resonates with the Divine.

His journey of self-discovery is centred around love and connection. “My journey to self-discovery is centred around love, how I see people and connect with them,” he shares. 

This approach not only fosters authentic human connections but also transforms his work and the process of creating it into a therapeutic process for him. “I do everything with love, so I talk to the people I capture, I open up about myself, my journey, and my dreams. It’s been nothing but a beautiful unfolding of something greater than self.”

As an artist, Arthur is deeply inspired by beautiful things and pure energy. 

“I love beautiful things, I love love, and I love good energy and pure energy intentions,” he shares, reflecting his commitment to creating art that is healing and invites viewers to engage with it on a more profound and emotional level.

In a world where the art scene can often be competitive and isolating, Arthur Dlamini stands as a beacon of healing and connection. His commitment to authenticity, spirituality, and love ensures that his artistic journey remains a transformative force for himself and those who encounter his work—inviting us to explore the healing potential of creativity and the power of connection.