Siklus: ritme in dood en groei

This is the artwork that I created and finished for the Hiernamaals | Hereafter exhibition at Slee Gallery, Stellenbosch. It will be on exhibit from 1-10 March 2013, don't miss it! For more information about the exhibition, view this blog post, the Facebook event page or the Site_Specific website

Siklus: ritme in dood en groei

Artist's Statement/ Description: 
There exists a complex and intricate balance and rhythm in death and growth - the process of death, decay and rejuvenation. Decayed matter in nature gives sustenance and feeds new growth, in nature there is no 'waste'. In this artwork natural materials, objects, organisms are used in juxtaposition with man-made and discarded/found material - the latter perceived as 'waste' by the general public, but as a source or substrate for creation for artists like us. The bronze/golden thread that helps to tie and entwine it together, holding the depicted process together, aims to evoke the image of the proverbial heavenly golden streets, and a spider's web. These hinting at the beauty, perfection and holiness - sacredness - of natural processes of life, death, decay and regrowth. 

Medium: Natural & Found material assemblage 2013
Dimensions: 350 x 380 x 75mm'
Year: 2013

(eco)nversations GREEN ART 2012

After weeks and months of hard work, the exhibition was a great success! The exhibition, (eco)nversations GREEN ART 2012 was partnered with and hosted by the Green Expo in assocation with National Geographic Channel 281, held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 23 to 25 November 2012. The exhibition showcased selected contemporary art by eight artists including installation art, sculpture, found object art and drawing. 

www.greenart.artlovenature.co.za

www.thegreenexpo.co.za

More photographs:

(eco)nversations in my website gallery

(eco)nversations Album on my Facebook page

A WORD FROM THE CURATOR
Janet Botes

This exhibition was conceptualized and organized as an integrated part of the 2012 Green Expo, one of  its main aims being to offer Expo visitors the opportunity to view and engage with art that is dedicated to raising awareness, changing perceptions or inspiring appreciation for our environment . The artists exhibited were chosen for their personal and individual philosophies, convictions and the way that they express these in their creative work. 

Most of the artworks on the exhibition are quite conceptual and they vary in the use of material and different art forms. They are inspired by the underlying themes, solutions and causes of the environmental crisis and global warming, and they seek to involve, invite and inspire people rather than berate, depress and belittle the viewer. 

I hope that you find the works as inspiring and thought-provoking as I do, and that their image(s) live in your mind or heart in a way that may change or enrich your way of life and your interaction with and within nature. 

As artist and curator, as a woman and as a human, I believe that we are nature, as much part of it as each tree, praying mantis and raindrop. By not respecting and embracing all living things and the landscape, soil and earth that sustains us, we are destroying and discarding ourselves. When  you reconnect with nature within and of yourself, you reconnect with everything around you.  And when you rethink, recycle, respect, reuse and rehabilitate things, your life and the spaces around you will be enriched and these practices will become second nature. 

This exhibition was made possible through the collaboration, cooperation and generous support as well as help of some amazing individuals. I would like to thank each of the artists: Kai, Nicolle, Danelle, Stefanie, Janet, Simon and Claire: thank you all for your participation, hard work and effort with your own art and also as part of the group. Thank you Kai, for writing the manifesto which brings everyone’s voices together so eloquently. 

I would also like to acknowledge and thank Chris Naude, Robyn Carstens, Radi van Zyl, Thea Butler and Eljanne Lochner for their support, effort and encouragement, as well as everyone involved with the Collage Mural Project. And last, but not least, thank you to the family members of the artists, and anyone else who helps us to be the artists who we are, fighting for the things we love. 

Found and Crafted

A random selection of Found Object & Recycled Art pieces and bits in my studio and home. Some of them are displayed as art, while others are still in the process of growing and becoming something.

Letters to thyself

Empty/used glue stick containers, 35mm developed film, pages from incomplete fictional book, thread, found paper clips.

Koekenaap workshop: part four

The open day was held at the Wesland Kunsvereniging building in Vredendal, and in almost record-breaking time we managed to hang and display all the artworks for viewing. These are the artworks that I have created in 10 days' time in Koekenaap:

Koekenaap: Seedpod, acrylic on found paper, 148 x 95mm, 2011.

Koekenaap: Transpirasie II, wine and ash on paper, 320 x 230mm, 2011

Koekenaap: Kliphard, watercolour & pencil on paper, 400 x 290mm, 2011

Asem, leafprint on paper, 148 x 100mm, 2011

Blare in 'n ry geplak - sketsboek werk

Work in progress

My Koekenaap work, laid out on the floor of the hall.

Detail: Bound to Earth, mixed media on wood, 590 x 155mm, 2011.

The workshop was an incredible opportunity for creative experimentation and growth. The people I met have all in some way taught me something about myself, themselves and about art.

Found and assembled

These little assemblage sculptures were made from natural and found objects around the the area closest to VANSA in Spin Street, Cape Town city bowl.



I made them during and as part of the In Focus Concept Development Workshop that Kai Losgott presented. This workshop will be presented again, and hosted by Vansa - keep an eye on www.vansa.co.za, as this workshop is worth attending!