NEWS

Art changed Daunabuna’s life - 27-Nov-2009

VILIAME Daunabuna, a serving prisoner at the Korovou Prison got into the history books after taking out an award in Fiji Arts Council National Fine Art Exhibition 2009.

He entered two of his works of art and received the Portraiture Award for his oil paint on the portrait of a Fijian princess, Raluve (Fijian for princess).

Daunabuna was treated to an afternoon tea by Fiji Prisons and Corrections Services Commissioner Ioane Naivalurua and his officers on Wednesday to celebrate his great achievements.

The inmate admitted that he has experienced a change in his life through his artistic creations and the award has inspired him to greater heights.

“I have been in and out of prison since 1997 and only after receiving these two awards I have realised that God has given me the opportunity to make the right choice to live a new life,” he said.

The Nabuna lad from Koro, Lomaiviti said his interest in arts and painting began when he was six years old.

“This is the first time for me to receive this wonderful reward and I thanked God for what He has done in my life,” he said.

He added in his everyday life he used to sit down, looking at the people and reading stories about them. He tried to imagine what it looks like when he draws it down on paper.

Daunabuna was one among four other inmates who entered their work for this year’s exhibition; he won a total of $700 for his efforts.

The 29-year-old said his paintings were often emotional illustrations such as a lady sitting down and affectionately holding a child in her hand.

“I loved to draw and paint people and how they feel towards each other, sometimes it’s very emotional but that’s how human beings act,” he said.

Daunabuna’s winning work is on display at the Fiji Museum.

He said when he leaves prison he would be able to start up his own business on what he has achieved so far.

“In looking back on what I have achieved so far, I am thinking of starting my own business,” he said.

Daunabuna was a joiner for the Public Works Department before ending up on the wrong side of the law.



ARIETA DAROKO

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