Anelissa Nkanyuza is a talented animator, game designer, and illustrator who recently completed the V&A Waterfront’s Artist Alliance programme. As a digital artist, she’s all about creating powerful female characters, stories, and worlds that rewrite the gaps left by colonial history in Southern Africa. We were so inspired by her work and creativity that we couldn’t wait to sit down with her for an interview. Keep reading and watch the video to learn more about her journey and see her incredible work in action.
Known as @lisa_tries_to_art on social media, Anelissa is on a mission to change the way people view art, especially within communities where it’s often not taken seriously as a career. After high school, she decided to challenge those perceptions. She went on to study Game Design and Interactive Media at the University of the Witwatersrand, determined to show that art can be more than just a passion.
Now based in Cape Town, we met up with Anelissa at the Zeitz MOCAA, the perfect backdrop for our conversation with such a dynamic artist. Having recently completed the V&A Waterfront’s Artist Alliance programme, she reflects on how it provided her with practical skills, business know-how, and mentorship to help transform her craft into a successful venture. She credits the course for teaching her how to approach her art with a business mindset and navigate some of the challenges young entrepreneurs face.
Catch the full interview with Anelissa to hear more about her inspiring journey and get a glimpse of the exciting projects she’s working on.
Watch now…
* Stay tuned to 10and5 for more interviews with emerging artists.
