By Cecilia E.L Mendy
Martha Mendy, a self-taught pencil artist and Computer Science student at the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology, is making a name for herself in the Gambian art space. Through dedication and talent, she has carved out a distinctive identity in the country’s creative community.
Mendy’s interest in art began during her school years, initially as a casual hobby. Drawing was part of her school curriculum, and she enjoyed it without imagining it would become a serious pursuit. Her turning point came unexpectedly while scrolling through her phone one morning, when she encountered a black-and-white portrait of renowned artist Pascal Mendy. “I thought this looked simple; I can draw this,” she recalled. Despite never having drawn a human portrait before, she felt compelled to try.
She purchased paper and pencils and dedicated nearly eight hours to her first portrait. The result closely resembled Pascal Mendy, astonishing her. Encouraged, she shared the artwork on social media. The response was overwhelming, and Pascal Mendy himself reposted the portrait, propelling Martha’s work into the public eye.
Since officially beginning her portrait work in August 2020, Martha has achieved significant milestones. She earned a scholarship, received media recognition, and inspired young people across The Gambia. Reflecting on her journey, she said, “I earned a scholarship through my art, received media recognition, and inspired many young people.”
Martha was also nominated for the She Awards in the Artist of the Year category. “It felt bigger than me,” she said, adding that being the youngest nominee among established artists gave her a moment of reflection on the challenges she overcame.
While specializing in pencil portraits, Martha is also active in painting. She believes art requires patience more than magic: “The more time and dedication an artwork takes, the better the final result.” In 2025, she decided to focus her art on celebrating excellence and honoring inspirational figures.
Guided by vision and purpose, Martha aims to keep her work meaningful and impactful. Quoting the Bible, she said, “A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men,” reflecting her own experience of how art has opened doors for her.
Martha draws inspiration from Nigerian artists such as Mayo, whom she admires for their creativity. Her ultimate goal is to take Gambian art to the global stage, proving that local talent deserves international recognition. Beyond personal success, she hopes to inspire change and create opportunities for future generations.
In closing, Martha encourages young people to be patient and trust the process. “You don’t need to be great to start; you need to start to be great,” she said.