Meadowridge artist Claire Lowden will open a solo exhibition, From Africa With Love, at The Studio Art Gallery in Simon’s Town later this month.
The body of work is inspired by the colours and energy of the African landscape, its flora, fauna and people, says Claire.
“I’m celebrating my African experience with an amalgamation of oil paintings, sculptures and ceramic art.”
Common subjects in her paintings are Echeveria succulents, African women and Namibian, Zambian and South African landscapes.
Her smoke-and-sawdust-fired ceramic pots reference indigenous trees, flora and fauna and her ceramic sculptures have a hand-painted finish.
She started art classes 20 years ago as a gift to herself, and in 2014, she held her first solo exhibition, The Cape Dutch Connection, at The Studio Art Gallery, then situated in Kalk Bay.
“For this exhibition,” she says, “I have created oil paintings and hand-built ceramics that reflect some of the abundance that Africa provides and the visual beauty that surrounds us. My intent is to evoke a sense of joy and appreciation in the viewer and an acknowledgement of what a blessing it is to live under the African sky.”
The exhibition opens on Friday October 18 at The Studio Art Gallery, shop GF31, Harbour Bay Centre, on the corner of Main and Dido Valley roads, Simon’s Town, at 6pm. It runs until Wednesday October 30 and the gallery will be open daily from 9am to 5pm. Contact Lindy Alexander at 021 7869457 or visit www.studioartgallery.co.za for more information.