*Caption: Sibusisiwe Kubheka working on her artwork at ML Sultan campus

Written by: Siphiwe Gabayi

Art has been used as a healing method for decades through various forms such as poetry and music.

A Fine Art student at the Durban University of Technology, Sbusisiwe Kubheka, said that she has used art as a companion throughout her life.

“I do not have many friends here in Durban, so I use drawing to keep me busy and keep my mind off things,” Kubheka said.

According to the art therapy journal, art creations are used as a form of psychotherapy for people experiencing trauma or seeking personal development.

Kubheka attested to this saying that when she lost her mother to cancer, drawing portraits of her mother helped her in the process of healing.

“When my mother died, I used a paper and pencil to express the anger that I felt and to avoid people asking me how I am,” Kubheka said.

Kubheka added that she enjoys communicating through her drawings rather than interactions with people.

“Even in high school my friend was a pencil, when the teachers were talking I would just focus in my drawing,” Kubheka said.

Kubheka said she prefers to draw portraits of living things such as humans and animals.

“I get my inspiration from living things, and I prefer to use charcoal and chalk pastels for my drawings.”

Kubheka added that now she has a found a different muse, in her three year old son.

“Since the birth of my baby, I have found a purpose and a motivation to get up every morning,” Kubheka said.

Kubheka also mentioned that she plans to go back to her hometown Nyanyadu, Newcastle to assist people interested in arts.

“Where I come from is a rural area and there are no opportunities for people who are into arts, so opening a recreational centre will help change the situation,” Kubheka said.