Selected Exhibitions:
First solo exhibition – Arabella Hotel Hermanus – 2003
Group exhibitions – Lisa King Gallery – CT
Group exhibitions – Lindy van Niekerk – CT
Group exhibitions – Orange Cactus Art Gallery - CT
Group exhibitions – Peacock Gallery – Franschoek - CT
4 artist exhibitions – Red Gallery Steenberg and Greenpoint – CT
Solo exhibition/4 artist exhibition – Vanilla Canvas - CT
Solo exhibitions – Galerie de Lyon – CT
All artwork sold at Affordable Fair London
9 July 2010 – Group exhibition – Rust and Vrede Art Gallery
June 2010 – group exhibition – Open Art Gallery- CT
Paintings for film:
Doomsday (Bob Hoskins/Malcolm McDowell)
Amelia Earhart (with Hilary Swank and Richard Gere), Painted portrait of Hilary Swank as Amelia Earhart. Filmed in SA.
What is your favourite film of all time?!
“Life is Beautiful”.
What music are you currently listening to and why?
John Mayer and Damien Rice. John Mayer because its easy listening, and Damien Rice because it isn’t.
Which living artists do you most admire and why?
Locally Francois Irvine because his work is so sensitive in how it’s painted, and in a world where it’s difficult to find anything original, he manages to be just that. Francis Bacon is another favourite, his figurative work is austere and emotionally raw but his painterly style is what I really admire because that’s where I would like to go with my own work eventually.
Which deceased artist do you most admire and why?
There are so many, but I’m thinking of Diego Rivera, the Mexican muralist. I started my career doing murals and can appreciate the effort in his work, the sheer scale of it, simple forms and vivid colours.Gaudi’s architecture is an all time inspiration, I hope I get to Barcelona one day. His buildings are like paintings to me.
Which exhibition that you have visited made the greatest impact on you and why?
Probably a Picasso exhibition in London in 1995 because I was so young at the time but I began to ‘understand’ the work for the first time after that visit.
What is the question you get asked most frequently about your work and how do you answer it?
What inspires me and how long does it take? People seem interested in how long something takes ??
Works take as long as they need to, difficult to answer, although I have been told I work quickly, this stems from years in the film industry, where there are always last minute deadlines. I’m inspired by people and things around me. Mostly in peoples ‘stories’ I love autobiographies, not something you can paint necessarily but certainly elements of them.
What/ who inspired you to be an artist?
As a child my Mom’s best friend painted, I saw her oil paintings and it looked like ‘magic’. My sister used to draw very well too and often illustrated my school projects; I was totally intrigued by anyone who could draw.
Can you tell us about where you make your art and what if any, the significance of this location is….
I have a studio in Woodstock, Cape Town. It’s in an old house, there are other artists in the adjoining rooms. Woodstock is being upgraded in little pockets, I love the contrast of the ‘ bergies’, drug dealers, and then the young, monied, trendy folk who mix there everyday. Having other artists around is inspiring as well and we all exchange ideas and advice.
What do you like most about being an artist?
The freedom .To use my talent, to spend each day doing something I love is a huge blessing. One I don’t ever take for granted.
What is your greatest achievement as an artist to date?
That I have worked fulltime as a fine artist for over 10 years and it has gone so well, is an achievement in itself. I’m living just as I always wanted to. There have been particular jobs that I have really enjoyed, like doing a portrait of Hilary Swank as “ Amelia”, the feature film of the same name that was partly shot in this country, she had recently won an Academy Award.
What are your plans for the coming year?
To keep evolving, to constantly be excited and passionate about any new body of work that develops. I’m always on the hunt for fresh ideas.