Juanita Oosthuizen – Broken – 1 November 2019 – 5.30pm

Juanita Oosthuizen – Broken – 1 November 2019 – 5.30pm

Being broken is a concept we are all familiar with. In her art works Juanita explores this theme and the opportunities it affords to creatively mend or adjust fragmentation; as in the Japanese art form of Kintsugi, where broken pottery is mended with gold to elevate it to the next level of beauty, by treating the breakage as part of the history of the object.

Juanita is inspired to come up with creative ways to incorporate miniature figurines into her art works, placing them in carefully planned scenarios to fit the theme of ‘broken’, as well as the healing, restitution and aftermath of such an action.  Torn paper can be the cornerstone of a new insight in design, and an unfinished puzzle the yearning for and possibility of perfection.

She works mostly in black, white and grey, sometimes introducing a smattering of colour to surprise. When she composes a piece, she feel herself instinctively drawn to depict something surreal, wistful, pensive and sometimes playful. At times, she use old photographs as a backdrop to the figurines, to create an element of nostalgia and tender memory. Her work varies from playful to serious and emotional, with the subject matter telling a story through the body language or interaction of the figurines. She creates a space for the spectator to make his or her own interpretation.

Exhibition on until 14 November