Lionel Aspires To Be Fiji’s Leonardo Da Vinci

Lino Lionel Colaitiniyara says he is inspired by God and believes that he is the greatest artist in the universe.

Mr Colaitiniyara, who is from Cakaudrove Province in Vanua Levu, said he was raised from a religious family and his parents taught him to see his paintings as God’s creation.

He has never exhibited many of his artwork before, but as an aspiring artist, he dreams of becoming a professional painter and be recognised nationally.

Last Thursday, he was given the opportunity by Alliance Française to showcase his artistic vision.

He does not only show his skills with pencil sketching and paintings, but he is also a singer, songwriter and music composer as well.

“I have been an artist since childhood and people have often described me as a boy who was born holding a pencil in my left hand,” he said.

Mr Colaitiniyara said he does not remember when he made his first art piece, but he remembers singing with his sibling and drawing ninja turtle pictures with his older brother as a child.

“I was that little kid with a dream of becoming a great artist like Leonardo Da Vinci,” he said.

He studied Graphic Arts and Design at the Fiji National University where he improved his skills considerably.

“I was not able to complete my tertiary education and I had lost hope of becoming a great artist,” he said.

Mr Colaitiniyara said the Peniel Layman’s church ministry took him in and he had been working there voluntarily as a graphic designer for the past five years.

“The church ministry gave me the freedom to work also on my artistic dreams,” he said.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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