Visual art has always been a focal point for Radeshna Goundar. Born in Ba and now a resident of Suva, the 31-year-old has marinated her creativity since her young days. Goundar began her educational journey at Raviravi Primary School in Ba but had to transition to Rishikul Primary School in Suva due to her family’s move.
During her schooling, an art teacher named Mr. Fatiaki played a pivotal role in shaping her interest in art. Goundar admits her academic interest was less compared to her attraction towards art. Her journey to explore this creative realm continued to Nakasi High School, where her skills in art received a chance to refine further.
Goundar’s prominence as an artist surfaced when she won second prize in a red prawn drawing project, post which a parent-teacher conference brought her parents into the light of her artistic capability. Her high-school journey sealed her passion for art.
On completing high school, Goundar enrolled in the Fiji National University. She pursued a course on facial illustration under the guidance of fashion icon, Rosie Semisi, and later studied graphic design. Even though she gathered numerous art supplies, Goundar initially struggled to use them.
The turning point in her artistic journey arrived with her husband Nilesh Rishi Nair’s encouragement. Nair’s belief in her talent motivated her to finally start using her art supplies. Despite receiving admirable comments from her close ones, the support she sought was self-belief.
As her artistic prowess started blooming, she decided to reach out to the Fiji Arts Council (FAC). Much to her astonishment, the FAC responded positively, presenting her the opportunity to display three of her artwork pieces at their gallery.
Goundar found further support and encouragement in her husband’s financial help which assisted her to turn her passion into a career. Her advice to aspiring artists is to continue chasing their art passion asserting that art has no retirement age and perfection is not a prerequisite.
To explore more about Goundar’s art, her Facebook page Brilliant Brushes offers a plethora of her works.