Yaseen Williams

I was born in 1952, in the vibrant heart of District Six — a place of colour, struggle, and memory. Orphaned young, I grew up within walls not of my choosing, from orphanage to reformatory, and later, prisons where I spent over two decades of my life. Yet it was within those very walls that something beautiful took root — my love for art.

With each brushstroke, I found freedom. In colour, I found a voice. Through painting, I began to speak the language of the soul — telling stories not just of pain, but of hope, longing, and redemption.

Since my release in 1990, art has remained the heartbeat of my life. It has introduced me to remarkable people and carried me on a journey of healing and purpose. In 2020, I was blessed to perform Hajj, a pilgrimage that deepened my faith and commitment to service.

Often, I have sold my art for little, simply to provide a warm meal to someone in need. My work is more than paint on canvas — it is a reflection of a life lived fully, a heart that still beats for community, and a soul that finds light, even in the darkest places.