Artist from Sierra Leone lands art show at Seven Oaks hospital

When Gibril Banguracame to Winnipeg from Sierra Leonein February 2014,he was welcomed to the city by naysayerswhotold him he would never make it as an artist.

Bangura decided to prove them wrong.He has peddled his artwork around town endlessly since he arrived, using his masterpieces on the covers of greeting cards.

Now he has his own art show, which is being held thisafternoon atSeven Oaks General Hospital.He'sthe first artist to utilize new art space in one of the main hallways at the hospital.

Banguracalls his work"happy paintings," something he has struggled with.

"I had this upbringing where I reallysuffered a whole lot,and this has been a problem within me," he told CBC'sUp to Speedhost Ismaila Alfa.

"I was fighting hard to get away from all the things on my mind, it has always been there. Then I began to go away from the kind of anger I used to show in my paintings back then,and I began to paint beautiful colours.I try to go away from reality."

Now,when he picks up a paint brush, he said he feels the "joyous flow" coming through it.

He said for him, it is all about connecting with people.

Bangura's art is on sale and will bedisplayed in oneof the main hallwayarteries (between the cafeteria and emergency room) at Seven Oaks Hospitalover the next fourmonths.A portion of the proceeds will go to the Seven Oaks General Hospital Foundation. The foundationis hoping to use the space for two-to-threedifferent up and coming artists each year.

GibrilBangura will be showing his works of art atSeven Oaks General Hospital from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday,April 30.