ARTIST STATEMENT
Afrikaans
English
Die Hermanus “Cliff Path” vorm deel van die Fernkloof Natuurreservaat en sodoendeword hierdie kosbare brose ekosisteem beskerm. Die 12 km staproete is langs die seevan Walkerbaai, tussen die fynbos en omring deur die Kleinrivier- en Duinfonteinberge.
Ek begin daagliks my staptog by Hermanuspietersfontein. Hier, dig teen die see, isdie varswaterfontein vernoem na Hermanus Pieters, waar hy in die 1800’s sy skapegebring het om gedurende die somermaande te kom wei.
My reeks skilderye handel oor my ervarings van die natuur op hierdie roete. My fokusis op die blomme, die voeëls en die insekte wat hulle bestuif. Elke dag se staptog issoos ‘n skattejag. Soms is dit die inheemse Babiana ambigua (bobbejaantjie), met syunieke persblou kleur en soet reuk, wat my oog tref regs langs die paadjie. Oprotsagtige kranse, altyd met hulle gesig gedraai na die see, vind ek die Gladioluscarmineus, ook bekend as die Hermanus “Cliff lily”. Hul merkwaardige kleur wisselvan donkerrooi totpienk en ek was baie opgewonde om selfs n wit variëteit te sien. Die “Cliff lily” isendemies en geklassifiseer as kwesbaar.
Die Bartholina etheliae, (spinnekop orgidie), is baie raar en amper bedreig. Die kleinfyn delicate blommetjie kruip weg tussen die fynbos. Dit was betowerend toe ekOktobermaand n groepie van 23 spinnenkop orgidiëe naby die paadjie ontdek.Tussen Februarie en Maart sien ek die Haemanthus coccineus soos helder verfkwasteof skeerkwassies uitpop vanuit hulle ondergrondse bolle. Hulle word ook genoem diebloedblom weens hul oranje-rooi kleur.
Die baie skaars en kwesbare inheemse Freesia leichtlini (kammetjie), het n besonderse soet reuk en was Meimaand se groot vonds. Julie tot Oktobermaand is dit fyn kyk om die pragtige Ferraria Crispa (spinnekopblom) te sien. Hulle blomme hou slegs een dag en die merke op die blomme boots die veld spinnenkop na. Die groot helder geel, oranje en rooi blomkoppe van die Leucospermum, (speldekussing) is semi-bedreig. Blomtyd is vanaf die einde van die winter tot in die lente en dan baljaar die suikerbekkie voeëls om hulle. Ek het ook n geheime plekkie ontdek teenaan die see, waar dit lyk asof die elegante spierwit Zantedeschia aethiopica, (aronskelk) vanuit die rotse groei. My intense waarneming van hierdie komplekse brose wonderwêreld maak my bewus van my eie broosheid.
In my ateljee skets ek die buitelyne van die spesifieke landskap asook die blomspesie. Die kleinste blommetje wat ek bewustelik intens waargeneem het, raak onbewustelik groot. Hier word die eksterne landskap nou ook n innerlike ervaring. Ek gee myself oor aan dit wat spontaan op die doek gebeur, terwyl ek die olieverf laag vir laag opbou. Die komplekse visuele taal van fatsoene, kleure en teksture is nou my rigtingwysers waarbinne ek in die stilte van die oomblik n nuwe ritmiese geheel skep.
Even in the quietest moments… “The purpose of art is to cleanse our souls from the dust of everyday life.” – Pablo Picasso
The Hermanus “Cliff Path” is part of the Fernkloof Nature Reserve, protecting this precious and fragile ecosystem. The 12 km hiking route follows the sea along Walker Bay, nestled between the fynbos and surrounded by the Kleinrivier and Duinfontein mountains.
Every day, I start my walk at Hermanuspietersfontein. Here, close to the sea, is a freshwater fountain named after Hermanus Pieters, who brought his sheep here to graze during the summer months in the 1800s. My series of paintings is based on my experiences of nature along this route. My focus is on the flowers, the birds, and the insects that pollinate them. Each day’s walk is like a treasure hunt.
Sometimes, it’s the indigenous Babiana ambigua (commonly known as bobbejaantjie), with its unique purple-blue color and sweet fragrance, that catches my eye right next to the path. On rocky cliffs, always facing the sea, I find Gladiolus carmineus, also known as the Hermanus “Cliff Lily.” Their remarkable color ranges from deep red to pink, and I was thrilled to even spot a white variety. The “Cliff Lily” is endemic and classified as vulnerable.
The Bartholina etheliae (spider orchid) is very rare and nearly endangered. This tiny, delicate flower hides among the fynbos. It was enchanting when, in October, I discovered a group of 23 spider orchids near the path. Between February and March, Haemanthus coccineus emerges from underground bulbs, resembling bright paintbrushes or shaving brushes. They are also called the “blood flower” due to their orange-red color.
“ The extremely rare and vulnerable indigenous Freesia leichtlinii (kammetjie) has a uniquely sweet scent and was my greatest find in May. From July to October, one must look carefully to spot the beautiful Ferraria crispa (spider flower). Their blossoms last only a single day, and the markings on the petals mimic a field spider. The large, bright yellow, orange, and red flower heads of the Leucospermum (pincushion) are classified as semi-threatened. Blooming from late winter to spring, these flowers attract playful sugarbird species. I also discovered a secret spot by the sea where the elegant, pure white Zantedeschia aethiopica (arum lily) seems to grow straight from the rocks. My intense observation of this complex and fragile wonderland makes me deeply aware of my own fragility.
In my studio, I sketch the outlines of specific landscapes as well as the flower species. The smallest flower I have consciously observed with great intensity unconsciously becomes larger. Here, the external landscape also transforms into an inner experience. I surrender to what spontaneously unfolds on the canvas as I build up layers of oil paint. The complex visual language of shapes, colors, and textures serves as my guide, allowing me to create a new rhythmic whole within the silence of the moment. Even in the quietest moments…
“The purpose of art is to cleanse our souls from the dust of everyday life.” — Pablo Picasso