For as long as Radeshna Goundar can remember, visual art has been both her passion and strength. Originally from Ba but currently residing in Suva, the 31-year-old said she started being creative during her childhood days. “I remember I was always doing something artistic,” she said.
Ms Goundar attended Raviravi Primary School in Ba. She did class one, two and there before her family moved to Suva after the George Speight-led 2000 coup. “I attended class three to eight at Rishikul Primary School.
When I was in class four, we had this art teacher called Mr Fatiaki.” Ms Goundar said he was the one who introduced her and got her interested in the world of art. “I was not into my schoolwork as I was more into artistic stuff.
” After she finished her primary education, she attended Nakasi High School, where she further perfected her art skills. “In form 3, we were given a project about red prawns and we were required to do a display or create something for our class teacher, Ms Waqabaca.” “So I drew a prawn on paper and it was about five feet so it was very big and I ended up winning the second prize.
” Ms Goundar said after her prawn project, there was a parent and teachers conference where both of her parents were told about her artistic capability. “My teacher told my parents that I had a creative talent. That stuck with me and I knew what I wanted to do.
” After high school, she attended Fiji National University and did a course in facial illustration with.
