We are delighted to host popular Durban painters Pascale Chandler, Marianne Meijer and Nicole Pletts as they return to the KZNSA for their second group exhibition. The trio previously exhibited together at the KZNSA in the New Work I exhibition in 2011, and, five years later, we welcome them back with an exhibition of acrylic and oil paintings, showcasing new bodies of work by these three established artists.

About the exhibition

MARIANNE MEIJER

Marianne Meijer describes her new work as an extension of previous explorations of the expressive and humanistic, as opposed to the figurative and literal depiction typical of the portrait genre. She suggests the collection could be loosely subtitled, ‘Sculpture in Paint’.

Meijer tell us:

” By reflecting on a new body of work I go again back into history. This time I was inspired by sculpture and therefore the subtitle of the work is  “Sculpture in Paint”. Firstly and foremost inspired by Rodin, and having seen his work over the years in Calais, Paris and many museums, my greatest inspiration came from one of his most famous pieces, THE THINKER! On this exhibition are three versions of this sculpture. They are very different  as, for instance, I use only  a small part of the face, a different angle or a new version of what was indoors is set outside against a background of sky that may emphasize the magnificence of the original! I choose my own new way of seeing, a process of inward intuition and introspection. Therefore the old masters will for me always remain a source of great inspiration.”

PASCALE CHANDLER

Pascale Chandler’s new Tang Horse series is inspired by the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907), a period often considered the golden age of litereature and art. Horses have been a theme in Chandler’s work for many years, and the catalyst for the current series was the artist encountering the Chinese Warrior collection at Gateway.

She explains, “I am exploring the ornate, heavily adorned quality of these plump ceramic horse sculptures. The “Cameo Oval” collection reduces the presence of the horse, allowing the gold leaf surface to dominate the subject. The seven oil paintings are spatial and the centred compositions create an iconic presence. The theatrical space is clad with unexpected graffiti tags. I have been documenting and harvesting graffiti on my morning walks in the Glenwood area. The signage is a subtle yet poignant reminder of urban decay and the need for personalized colonization of public spaces and property. Seven paintings representing seven days of the week.”

NICOLE PLETTS

Nicole Pletts titles the portraits of nuns she has created ‘Portraits of a Declining Calling’. The world, she explains, is an increasingly selfish and self-absorbent place where honesty and integrity is few and far between – placed on a pedestal rather than accepted as the norm. The world shouts me, me, me… I want, I want, I want… More, more, more! Nuns take vows of chastity, obedience and poverty. A life without physical touch and love, a life without a family, cellphone, computer or wifi; no TV, no fashion, no alcohol and no travel. In a society where the promise of sex sells and more is more, one is not surprised at the declining number of women entering the gentle, giving life of selflessness. ‘Portraits of a Declining Calling’ are portraits of seductively attractive nuns whispering to all and sundry – there is more to life than this…