by Nkosazane Jele
from South Africa
My artwork is based on the theme “My Hero,” and I chose to represent Jesus as the hero in my life. Instead of portraying Him in a detailed, realistic way, I used a silhouetted figure walking along the beach to show His constant presence and His guidance. The silhouette symbolizes how Jesus is always with us, even when we cannot physically see Him.
The shoreline represents the journey of life. The waves washing over the sand symbolize God’s grace—sometimes gentle, sometimes strong, but always shaping and cleansing. By placing Jesus close to the water, I show that He walks beside me through every season, guiding my steps and calming the storms in my life.
In the background, the sunset sky blends warm oranges, pinks, and yellows to symbolize peace, hope, and the light Jesus brings into the world. The glowing sun represents His eternal presence and His role as the “light of the world.” The crosses on the horizon act as a reminder of His sacrifice, love, and the foundation of my faith. Their placement in the distance shows that His sacrifice continues to guide me no matter how far I move forward in life.
The contrasting colours—the bright blue water and the warm sunset—express the balance between life’s challenges and the comfort Jesus provides. Even though the silhouette is dark, the surrounding light shows that Jesus brings hope, strength, and protection.
Overall, my artwork communicates that Jesus is my hero not only because of His sacrifice, but because He walks with me daily, offering guidance, comfort, and unconditional love. I used symbolism, colour, and composition to express the deep spiritual relationship and the impact He has on my life