Alma Horn is a South African artist, born 1964 in Namibia. Since childhood she was always very drawn into art and while attending La Rochelle and Bloemhof Secondary Schools, she took art as a major subject. After graduating high school and during her B.Sc Mathematics studies at Stellenbosch University, she carried on expressing her creations in many ways and further studied Fashion Design at the SAACT. During her work as a clothing designer she acquired knowledge of figure drawing, colour and textures. In 1996 she completed her training as a graphic designer and has been active in this career ever since. This interaction with the advertising world has brought exposed her to a number of artistic and professional disciplines, focused on visual communication and presentation of ideas and messages.
During her career she developed a unique understanding and perception of organized text and pure design elements such as shapes and color to unify a piece. Conceptual and composition work are of the most important features of her work, which she expressed through image design, layout and illustration. In 2009 she took on Wilma du Toit, wellknown South African oil painting artist, as her mentor. She also attends Life Drawing classes under Robyn Pearce.
Alma’s interesting figural compositions catch the eye by being bold and realistic while capturing the essence of the subject’s character with sensitivity. She experiments with different art styles, from hyper-realistic city views, ethnic-romantic celebration and more. Usage of art form and choice of motives are varying but primary attention remains focused on people. She currently lives in Camps Bay with her two teenage children, Kyle and Nicole, whose influence is evident in some of her compassionate subject matter.
What is your favourite film of all time?!
Angela’s Ashes based on the memoir of Frank McCourt, the story of an impoverished Irish family during the depression and WWII. It centers around the thoughts and actions of the firstborn son of this family and how he struggled to overcome this bleak and often depressing existence to emerge a thoughtful, caring and successful member of society.
What music are you currently listening to and why?
I do listen to all kinds of music, from Beethoven to Nirvana, but listen to classic rock or blues rock at most times. I like Led Zeppelin, The Animals, Gary Moore, Pink Floyd, U2, Bob Dylan, John Mayer, Nina Simone etc. It’s the music I grew up with, is familiar with, and the artistic music genius is mostly unequalled in modern music. It is an elixir to my well-being.
Which living artists do you most admire and why?
Lucian Freud – he paints people for what they happen to be and the involvement, sensuality and memory he has with them. I love his textures, use of colour and authentic compositions.
Which deceased artist do you most admire and why?
Frida Kahlo – she painted her reality, whatever passed through her head, because she had a need to do it. Her life was marked with extreme suffering, as well as extreme genius. Her work shows wonderful use of colour and texture and compositions are pure genius.
Which exhibition that you have visited made the greatest impact on you and why?
John Mayer, Sequential Narratives at Everard Read Gallery in Cape Town. John’s work is of an extremely high standard. It is an unbelievable to see his work, use of medium, colours and composition in a painting.
What is the question you get asked most frequently about your work and how do you answer it?
My figural compositions are bold and realistic while capturing the essence of the subject’s character with sensitivity. I experiment with different art styles, from hyper-realistic city views, ethnic-romantic celebration and more. Usage of art form and choice of motives are varying but primary attention remains focused on people. My two teenage children’s influence is evident in some of my compassionate subject matter.
I am a developing artist and therefore constantly seeking my purpose for doing something, with the end in mind. My compositions are mostly based on people and how they influence me. I urge to produce work that will demonstrate feelings and thoughts, stimulates expression and the interchange of ideas. My work must be visually appealing and communicate my personality and inspirations. It is mostly rich in texture and colour, with the use of light evoking moods and emotions. I wish for my work to make people think.
What/ who inspired you to be an artist?
I grew up in the wide, open spaces and rich, natural colours of Namibia. During my career as a clothing designer, I acquired knowledge of figure drawing, more colour and textures. From 1996, as a graphic designer, my interaction with the advertising world exposed me to a number of artistic and professional disciplines, focused on visual communication and presentation of ideas and messages. I developed a unique understanding and perception of organized text and pure design elements such as shapes and color to unify a piece.
Can you tell us about where you make your art and what if any, the significance of this location is
.
There is no specific place. I prefer to have good light, but I become completely involved in my work and therefore sometimes I end up totally unaware of where I am while Im painting.
What do you like most about being an artist?
Expression.
What is your greatest achievement as an artist to date?
I believe that you will be successful in anything if you follow your passion. I have been able to sustain that all my life.
What are your plans for the coming year?
I plan to do a range of work that coincides with an exhibition later in the year and early next year.