Equality and Human Rights Commission

Lost in thought

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About Fungai

Fungai Mutezo and his family moved to Scotland from Zimbabwe four years ago, when he was 13. Choosing the background to this portrait, he says, he wanted ‘something with an African theme, something that would show my roots.’ He wanted the bold colours and patterns to contrast with the sombre mood of the pose. ‘There are two different moods in the picture, which is how I represented missing my home and my family.’

As inspiration for the pose in the foreground Fungai looked at portraits by a range of artists, from Chris Ofili to Picasso and Van Gogh. ‘But I chose a pose that reflected who I am.’ The picture shows him in a reflective mood – but, he says, he is not always that serious. ‘This is one side of my personality. It represents part of me that might make someone curious.’

Fungai’s extended family are still in Zimbabwe, and he went back to see them two years ago. His artistic ability was first spotted while he was at school there. ‘I took art in my first year and they told me I had a talent. Since then I have been working hard at improving my skills.’

He has one more year of school before has to decide on a career. ‘I would like to do something like engineering, that incorporates art and design but in a practical way. But I will definitely keep painting as a hobby.’

Fungai's comments

This self-portrait was a way for me to show the more thought-provoking side to my personality. Like many others, my life is often filled with busy day-to-day events and strong influences from the society that I live in. I like to take time out from my busy schedule to reflect and contemplate the direction that my life is heading, what I will be able to put back into society, as well as remembering what has made me who I am today.