Here and Gone 2022 | Longstreet Art Lovers 1932

"This body of artwork consists of a variety of old and new artworks with a common theme investigating the disastrous human interaction with nature, which mostly results in the destruction or damage of a fragile ecosystem.

This has been my concern for several years and is reflected in my artworks. From the delicate wings of dead butterflies, which leave a residue on our fingers when we pick them up, to the ghostly images of frogs floating in an ambiguous space neither earthly nor heavenly, to the lifeless paws of a tiger cub. These events have been brought about by human interaction with nature.

I am fascinated by the contrast of life and death often represented by plants in my art. The plants are alive, green and growing in contrast with the animals depicted. The resilience of plants to survive all odds is much greater than that of animals. There is a delicate balance between plants and animals. Plants are for me a constant reminder of renewal and surviving trauma where animals are more fragile.

The tension between life and death manifests as the difference between the resilience of plants and the vulnerability of animals. After a veld fire the grasses and flowers will grow back and flourish where before there were only blackened scorched earth and ash.

Through art I reflect and focus on the balance between ecosystems, nature and humans."