A change of season
I believe it is inherently in our spirit to help those around us and now, it is the most vulnerable in our society that require our help more than ever. When art and life is seen from this perspective, I believe that we can overcome any crisis and hopefully, it may contribute to us even growing closer and stronger as a nation.
Inspired by South Africa, its people and its landscapes, I paint that which is personal to me and touches those around me. Having moved to South Africa as a young woman, more than thirty years ago, I am proud to call South Africa my home. Having witnessed our nation grow over the years, has moved me to the extent where today, I seek to express visually that which words cannot convey. I wish to capture true emotions and to express a strong message through purest simplicity. Ours is a country of stark contrasts, artistically illustrated by our beautiful landscapes, warm-hearted people and the richness in diversity and spirit. It is however, also a country of great inequality, poverty and hardships. These contrasts I try to conceptualise through art and I strive to inspire my fellow citizens to see the contemporary South Africa in its entirety. This is more poignant now than ever before, with the enormous challenges which we are currently facing. Only by standing strong and helping each other can we hope to succeed. I believe it is inherently in our spirit to help those around us and now, it is the most vulnerable in our society that require our help more than ever. When art and life is seen from this perspective, I believe that we can overcome any crisis and hopefully, it may contribute to us even growing closer and stronger as a nation.
The Boy with the Soup
The young boy symbolises the youth and the future of the country. His coat is too big; wearing a coat from another adult hereby representing the past. He has a bowl of soup and some bread in his hands. The soup represents the help from the community and the vital nourishment the boy requires. Without the soup, the boy will struggle to find a future. In summary, we need the past (the coat), with the help of the present (the soup), to face the uncertain future. Despite these hardships, the boy’s expression is not that of defeat, but rather hopeful
We All Belong
The man in the painting is hoping to return to lost, better days. He is cold and he is looking to the soup to comfort him. The blanket further symbolises this. As he stares into the soup, your eyes are draw to the ring he is wearing and you wonder, who his loved ones are and where they are now.
The old man
Too often we overlook the importance of old people to our society. Western culture in particular idealises youth, thereby adding pressure to appear forever young. This stems from problems dealing with our own mortality. I feel we should start to see the benefits that old people bring into our life through the sharing of their wisdom, which they obtained through the years. Let us find the beauty in a face and person that shows signs of a long life lived.
The reason I paint
“The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them.”
— Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
You've heard the old saying ''a picture's worth a thousand words''? That's because art can get ideas across using a different kind of vocabulary. Some people respond more to visual images than words. Like most artists I try to communicate through my art with the viewer .
“The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them.”
You've heard the old saying ''a picture's worth a thousand words''? That's because art can get ideas across using a different kind of vocabulary. Some people respond more to visual images than words. Like most artists, I try to communicate through my art with the viewer. My work is an expression of myself and I love painting personal subjects, drawing inspiration from my immediate surroundings and subjective experiences. Through manipulation of color, light, composition, or concept I try to visual bring my message across to the viewer.
In today’s world, everything seems to be fast, grand, and extreme. Social media adds extra pressure to be beautiful, rich, adventurous, and successful. But happiness can be found in the ordinary things in life. Through my art, I like to show the beauty of everyday things like a small flower, the color of a fruit, or a morning walk in the mountains.
Life is fickle and we need to stand still, smell the flowers and enjoy the moments. Beauty can be found everywhere. The key is to appreciate the little things around us. This means keeping your eyes and ears open, honing your senses to pick up on things that we otherwise would not see.
When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for the moment.
Georgia O'Keeffe
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I believe it is inherently in our spirit to help those around us and now, it is the most vulnerable in our society that require our help more than ever. When art and life is seen from this perspective, I believe that we can overcome any crisis and hopefully, it may contribute to us even growing closer and stronger as a nation.