The artist:
This painting, its title attributed to Mahatma Ghandi; is a personal response to the current geopolitical climate – of extreme nationalism, aggressive trade wars signalling the end of multilateralism. We are all at risk of blindness.
My paintings could be described as ‘remembered landscapes’ (to quote Joan Mitchell). They represent an emotional response to a place or situation, distilled and then transformed into a painting on a 2-dimensional surface.
With a Sociology major, I’m a keen observer of people and groups of people. We face a new reality, with inordinate levels of uncertainty - this painting speaks to the historic moment, as we face a fragile future.
A jazz singer for many years, I am well practiced at appearing on stage and feel comfortable performing. My artistic process typically starts with performance, often with a random throwing of ink, or some large spray gun gestures.
Seemingly random, these initial marks set the structure and spatial balance of the work. Often a painting’s success is determined at this early ‘performance’ stage.
Once the ink dries, the layering begins – spray paint, acrylic paint, ink pen, oil bar, graphite, crayon, fabric collage and more spray paint to achieve harmony and balance. Like Monet’s obsession with his garden pond at Giverny, I am obsessed with water and swimming. Much of my work involves water, as I attempt to capture the sense of freedom associated with being afloat. Whether it’s in South Africa, France, Scotland or elsewhere in the world - I love to swim.
Artists who inspire me are, amongst others and in no order: Hundertwasser, !Xun and Khwe Khoi San artists, Patrick Heron, Joan Mitchell, Frank Bowling, Nengi Omuku, David Hockney, Lennox Dunbar, Matisse, Monet and Bonnard.