From graffiti to gallery: former skater boy Donald Abraham holds his first solo exhibition

'The secret to making it as an artist is to keep working persistently. Keep knocking on doors, keep busy,' says Donald, pictured with his work Turbo Chat (mixed media on canvas, 2012). Photo: The Star/Azman Ghani

Ask most artists how they got started, and their answer will probably be at an art school or in a studio.

Self-trained artist Donald Abraham, however, gained knowledge about the art world on the streets.