LIKE Martin Luther King, he has a dream. A dream to change the misconceptions about his community through art.
Deacon Dirks,18, has undeniable talent and his pencil sketches leave people in awe.
He puts every emotion into his work as he patiently, with each pencil stroke captures his subject.
The matriculant from Schoonspruit Secondary School in Malmesbury said not even Eskom’s power cuts can drain his energy when it comes to drawing.
Dirks grew up on a farm with his mother and siblings and moved to his grandma before starting primary school.
“Life wasnt always easy for us, there were times I remember going to sleep without food, but its those struggles that inspired and motivated me to do better so that I could prosper and help my family and also my community and the art world.”
His art teacher Celeste Arendse, who is quite a maestro at drawing as well, praised Dirks for his focus and talent.
During the interview, the teen had to take a break to compose himself while talking about his upbringing.
A shocked Arendse said: “Hearing this only makes me understand him more, because he is so humble and wears his heart on a sleeve, you would never connect him to such emotional baggage.
“Even through his art work, it really shows that he loves his life and doesn’t allow his circumstances to bring him down.”
Arendse added that Dirks was one of her easiest learners.
“He is really one of those stand-out learners who puts in all his time. I never have to fight with him to work and he is committed to after school and weekend programmes.”
Dirks chimed in: “Sorry teacher, its because I really love what I’m doing and I’m serious about it.”
According to Dirks, his love for art started when he was eight years old.
“I remember watching my cousin draw, I was so fascinated. I could see how excited he got when he picked up his pencil and I also felt that excitement.
“So I also picked it up and started drawing logos. Okay it was not as good as his but I knew I could also do it because it made me feel good about myself.”
Dirks said in grade 5 his teacher called him up and he had to draw something on the board.
“I drew a penguin and everyone was so impressed even though I had a much bigger expectation of myself, and as they say the rest is history.”
He joked: “Not even Eskom could turn off my light for drawing.”
Dirks dreams of becoming a professional artist.
“My grandma is a pensioner and I want to give her a better life. I want to show my mom and siblings that there’s a big life away from the farm.
“I want to show my community that anything is possible if you put love into your passion, and I want to show the youth that circumstances is not a hold-back but a push-forward.”
Dirks said even though he does not have the financial means to study further and that there were no real opportunities in his community to further his studies, he was confident God had a bigger plan for his life.