The Black Rose illustration started as a blind contour with a singular fluid stroke done while keeping my pencil down on the page. Halfway through I opened my eyes and liked the look of the drawing. Then with eyes wide open, I began to direct the illustration in a deliberate way. The final aspect of the image is the figure with its head tilted back and a rose protruding from its mouth. This is where this illustration gets its name from as this is the centre piece of the work. The rose in this illustration represents the concept of emerging stronger from chaos and struggle. Chaos here is represented by the overlapping line work in the middle of the figure. Just as a rose can grow from chaos the enduring spirit of humanity can emerge from strife.

Daniel Maluka

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Daniel Maluka is a self-taught, Toronto-based artist and writer originally from South Africa. He merges Afrocentric influences with surrealist elements to explore the depths of the subconscious in his art. Daniel's visually captivating pieces have gained international recognition, being featured in galleries across Toronto and collected worldwide. In addition to his visual art, Daniel has made notable contributions to literature. His works have been published in various magazines, and he has led numerous poetry workshops. His debut poetry collection, Unwashed, published by Mawenzi House, was featured in CBC's "37 Most Anticipated Poetry Books for Spring 2024." The collection is known for its visceral, image-rich poetry.