Ricollin Moodley uses lipstick art to honour former Springbok winger Cornal Hendricks

The Citizen

19-05-2025

24-year-old artist Ricollin Moodley paid tribute to Hendricks the best way he knows how, through lipstick.
The artwork and the artist: artist Ricollin Moodley with his portrait of late rugby player Cornal Hendricks. Picture: ricollinart_official/Instagram
Tributes to former Springbok winger Cornal Hendricks have expectedly poured in from the sporting world, particularly from rugby, his sport of choice.
Among them is 24-year-old artist Ricollin Moodley, who honoured Hendricks in the most unique way he knows — through a striking artwork created with lipstick.
'My inspiration behind the tribute to the Cornal Hendricks painting is because I wanted to immortalise his memory with something that I'm known for, which is lipstick paintings of the Springboks. So that's my way of paying my tribute to a fallen legend like him,' Moodley told The Citizen.
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Hendricks and Moodley connection
37-year-old Hendricks died of a suspected heart attack about a week ago.
The winger was diagnosed with the heart condition late in 2015 and missed two years of rugby because no team would take the risk of playing him with the condition.
He was finally allowed to return to rugby in 2019 when the Vodacom Bulls offered him a contract.
However, before he could sign the contract, Hendricks underwent a variety of tests and was cleared to play rugby again.
'I can't discuss Cornal's medical diagnosis, but one thing I can say is that him playing rugby had nothing to do with his death,' Hendricks' Cardiologist, Dr Wouter Basson told SuperSport.
Moodley said he connected with Hendricks' story because, for health reasons, he's unable to play sports.
'…so I found another way of using what I have to be a part of sports and also not letting my drawbacks stop me from doing something I'm passionate about and that is art.'
The Ladysmith-based artist says this was an emotional piece for him.
'I was able to do it in two days because I used whatever funds I had to get the lipsticks and supplies to make it.'
Moodley said that he can't donate the artwork to Hendricks' family.
'I cannot because lipstick is an expensive and unique medium, and I need every art sale because I'm doing art to support my family; therefore, every art piece I create is available for sale to help put food on the table,' he shared.
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Using art to fight poverty
He shared that he struggled to get money for supplies from the time he started making art in 2017, so he found creative ways to make his art.
'So that allowed me to find ways to make art with things around me and to be creative in using what I have, which is how I started painting with lipsticks a couple of years ago,' he said.
Moodley is a self-taught artist who has quickly built a reputation as one of the country's promising artists through his unique approach to portraits.
He found popularity in the last year and a half through his portraits of the Springbok World Cup-winning team.
'My biggest dream is to one day afford a home for my family and I, so we no longer have to rely on art sales just to cover rent,' he said, adding that his mother is unwell and unable to work.
'…and my father's income isn't enough to meet all our needs. Every piece I sell goes towards rent and putting food on the table.
'Although it seems like I've achieved a lot, I'm still using my art as a way to lift myself and my family out of poverty — and to inspire others to use what they have and don't let what they don't have stop them.'
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