Which new trends or South African artists do you find inspiring at the moment?
Loving everything home grown right now (perhaps a Covid Effect). The work of the Amasosha Art Movement is a vibrant collective of young Durban artists exploring identity and cultural heritage. WonderBuhle is rocking the international art market and Karla Nixon is flippen amazing and cutting edge.
Which South African deceased artist do you most admire and why??
Robert Hodgins 1920-2010. William Kentridge quotes "I could always draw but Robert was the painter"
If you could only have one piece of art in your life, what would it be?
Jeff Koons Puppy! I could do with a massive one in my garden....preferably an Africanis. Koons combines the most saccharine iconography- flowers and puppies-in a monument to the sentimental.
Pick three artists who you would be honored to exhibit with – and why
Christian Hook
Ryan Hewett
Damien Hurst
What can I say....just love these boys.?
How did you get started? Did you always want to be an artist?
Always wanted to be an artist and was fortunate to be accepted and Matriculated at the Pretoria Art Ballet and music school. My tertiary training in fine art was a total wake up call. Learning the real meaning of why we make art and how it influences the way we value the world around us. I always wanted to be a painter but I want to be a builder in my next life.
What are some of the key themes you explore in your work?
Recording, collecting and harvesting daily events is a recurrent theme in my work. My horses are the catalyst of this unpredictable but often playful journey
What should people know about your art that they can’t tell from looking at it?
Construction sites and armatures are key elements in my work. I am always fascinated by the structure of things. I value what lies beneath the surface.
Tell us more about your creative process.
I have invested much time exploring new mediums and different surfaces. It is a very challenging and often confusing process but I firmly believe in the idea of discovery and freshness. Never to lose one's sense of wonder.
Do you believe an artist should use their platform to influence society? Why?
Yes indeed. Art and popular culture continues to question and mediate our socio political values.
Do you have a favourite or most meaningful work?
A painting of Ntunzi (my Africanis) by Claude Chandler.
What are your aspirations for the future?
To cultivate a healthy relationship with my art community and focus on enriching my creative environment. I aim to be more discerning about my art practice and output. Less is more.
