On the outskirts of the vibrant city of Maputo, where the streets tell stories in colours and textures, Alfredo Agostinho Uamusse’s journey is unfolding. This 24-year-old student at the Instituto Superior de Artes e Cultura is affectionately known as Fredy Uamusse, a talent whose art transforms lives through portraits created with pencil, paper or brush.
Since childhood, Fredy has been captivated by human expressions, discovering in art a means of eternalising emotions and moments. ‘I can say that drawing is a gift. I didn’t learn from anyone; I just started and perfected it,’ the young portraitist shares.
In 2020, Fredy, who was already doing commissioned drawings, especially realistic portraits, decided to expand his projection by publicising his work on social media. Since then, he has gained visibility and recognition, attracting a growing number of admirers and clients.
Today, his portraits transcend borders and are known and appreciated in Angola, Portugal and Brazil. ‘With social media, there are no barriers to my work. People order portraits from anywhere in the world and I deliver them digitally or physically,’ Fredy revealed.
Determined to turn his passion into a sustainable business, Fredy Uamusse is facing the challenges of entrepreneurship in a competitive and developing market. The young artist believes in the power of art to connect people, preserve memories and promote social impact.
With a lot of creativity and an eye on sustainability, Fredy creates drawings using charcoal dust on the ground or on a canvas.And he uses recycled plastic, which, in a play of colours, gives shape to shadows and contours
Between street fairs, modest exhibitions and digital platforms, he seeks to affirm his vision: to make art accessible and recognised as a means of transformation.
The road to success
Being a portrait painter is currently Fredy Uamusse’s profession, and he collects achievements through this craft. His talent has seen him portray various public figures and national and international personalities. ‘I’m a student and I finance my studies with money from portraits. I’ve managed to get my driving licence and move forward with various personal projects thanks to my art,’ says Fredy.
Despite his success, the young man faces significant challenges. ‘One of the biggest obstacles is the scarcity of specific materials for this type of work. From the north to the south of the country, I only know of two companies that supply the right equipment, and I often have to resort to imports, which isn’t easy,’ he lamented.
To get round these difficulties, Fredy has developed creative and sustainable techniques for his art. Using charcoal dust on the ground or on canvas and using recycled plastic to create shadows and outlines, he shapes faces, often of iconic figures. With these techniques, he has portrayed personalities such as Nelson Mandela, Cristiano Ronaldo and Malangatana, among other renowned figures.
Diversity and ambition
Although Fredy Uamusse stands out for his realistic portraits, his talent goes beyond that. His hands create landscapes, stunning paintings and impressive murals. The artist encourages young people to explore alternatives to express their art. ‘We should always look for creative solutions and alternatives,’ he advised.
Fredy currently works with other portrait artists as collaborators, with the ambition of consolidating his business, perfecting his techniques, improving his drawings and increasing the international visibility of Mozambican art.
With each stroke, Fredy Uamusse not only draws faces, but also writes his own story – a story of creativity, resilience and the hope of inspiring a new generation of Mozambican artists.
Text: Filomena Bande
