We were lucky to catch up with Quentine Nyoni recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Quentine thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

At the age of 20 I left my family home, in pursuit of a career I wasnt well educated or experienced in. My family was not in full support because they thought I was not yet ready. Instead they wished I went to varsity to study a course I did not really connect with, also understanding that we were not financially ready for tuition fees and such.

Therefore I left the small town of Gwanda and went to the capital city of Zimbabwe, Harare. The first few months were tough because I did not have an idea of how to maneuver. In exactly 1 year I had my artwork displayed at the African Union Summit in front of all 55 presidents of Africa. The risk I took was not just worth it but it created space for me in an industry I wasn’t qualified in, and now I am a well recognized Creative Director in my country and beyond, for me this was solid proof that passion cannot be stopped and following your gut will never disappoint you.

Quentine, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Just like how kids mumble words until they get them right, I had to learn via trial and error, shadowing renowned Zimbabwean Artists like Chaz Maviyane Davies, Nontsi Mutiti. I learnt and practiced a lot, until I found my touch and taste of my craft. This process refines you until you build your own authentic touch outside of the parameters that any educational institute can offer. This radical approach towards my creative work enables me to explore different mediums and without any limitations.

This connection of different mediums like Tufting Rugs, Painting, Graphic Design and Content Creation is the exact unison of art which most of my clients come to my studio for. That is exactly how I built the Brand UrbanMilitant which has gotten recognition, collaborations and accolades in Ethiopia (African Union), South Africa (Fakugesi), Zimbabwe (National Arts Merit Awards) to mention a few. UrbanMilitant Studio’s radical approach cuts all across all facets because we collaborate with youth, street and other various innitiatives like Skeyi & Strob Fabrik Party, and the Natural Hair Festival.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal in the creative industry is to give fair opportunity to other kids who come from the same situation and locations I came from, be it you’re educate or not, for a big city or not, we all deserve the same platforms to network, give a shot and fair chance.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to un-learn the stereotypical fairytale that you need a 9-5 job to make it in life. It had been the same old chorus since junior school that you will never succeed without studying for a specific job and working that job, when the world is now moving towards empowering entrepreneurs and being and independent business. It can be hard but its possible, and better. Therefore I had to learn the philosophy that say entails Aiming at your own dreams is far better then dedicating your entire life to building someone else’s kingdom.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @urbanmilitant @whilewewaitpodcast @eyesof263
• Facebook: Quentine Nyoni
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhileWeWaitPodcast

Image Credits
@vigorousaesthetics @zutograph @urbanmilitantcreative