BRIAN FENI is a well-known name in the local sports scene and it is not hard to see why.
In soccer he has played at club level for Solomon Warriors in the S-league.
In the Honiara Football Association league (HFA league) he played for Uncles FC.
His sporting talent is not only restricted to football as he is also known in basketball circle having represented the country in the past and is still an active basketball player today.
Over the years however, he juggles his time between family and sports to pursue his other talent, which is art.
According to Feni, his interest in art started when he attended Kukum Primary School and it grew over the years to where he is today.
“I think it is the passion to do art that is the main driving force and today when I look back I can say that there is no turning back for me,” he said.
Yesterday, Feni and another Solomon Islander James Tuita were presented with their awards at the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources headquarters in Honiara.
Feni said it was the first time for him to enter a competition and he did not expect to win an award.
“Actually it came as surprise when they inform me that I had won a prize from PNA for my entry,” he said.
Feni and Tuita had entered the PNA competition in the Art and Talent Quest and both their entries won them prizes.
Fisheries Minister, Hon Minister John Maneniaru presented the Special Mention Awards to both winners.
PNA CEO Dr Transform Aqorau also gave some remarks and congratulated the winners at the short ceremony this morning.
Tuita won for his poem which describes the relationship between the traditional priest and tuna, changing times and then calls for conservation, while Feni’s work depicts a traditional canoe and marine creatures.
He was the first painter to win an award in the competition
His work will be hung on the walls of the PNA office in Majuro, Marshall Islands.
Feni said the achievement brings a whole new experience to him and in particular his work.
“This is just the beginning and for sure I will continue to participate in any future competition,” he said.
He however, is no stranger when it comes to art exhibition having participated in a number of exhibitions overseas in the past.
His biggest exposition was at the 2010 World Expo in China where he rubbed shoulders with some of the World’s renowned artists.
And his exposure has paid dividend for him based on the number of requests he received from interested clients overseas for his paintings.
“I don’t have difficulty selling my work because of my exposure, a lot of people now know about Solomon Islands and especially its art,” he said.
Feni does his painting in both oil and acrylic and anyone who happens to bump into his work will be marvelled at just how creative he is.
As for the piece he entered in the PNA quest, he also received a request to have it put on display at the 13th Pacific Festival of Art in Guam, however, that is not possible now as it will be taken to its new home at the PNA headquarter in Majuro, Marshall Islands.
Feni believes his presence in Guam will greatly boost Solomon Islands Art because of his vast experience in that discipline.
However, as a leading artist he was not included in the final Solomon Islands contingent to Guam.
But this does not deter him or his interest in art as he already has in place a work plan for the whole of this year.
Besides his art, he also coaches and plays for a local soccer club in the Honiara Football Association Division A – the Kukum Bombers.
He said it was fun coaching and at the same time playing and did not regret his decision.
“I love playing that is why even though I coach the club I also play with my boys and my presence in the field of play is a real booster for my players,” he added.
By Francis Pituvaka
MFMR Communications
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