Artist Statement

I create art to learn more about myself and the world around me. Through this process I get to meet interesting people, such as Mimi van der Merwe, a woman in her nineties who knows more about printmaking than anyone I've met.

As a side effect of this I have learnt that I am great at connecting people with others artists. As well as inspiring artists that have lost hope to simple start again.

We are all artists and we can start at any stage of our lives to create.

What is Woza ART?

Woza ART is about building a community of art enthusiasts, focusing on inclusion and diversity. In the modern era, art in the African context has lost its core intention. If we speak about the origins of art. The process of creation and expression of ideas was of utmost importance. However, with the rise of commercialisation, art has become a commodity.

This artistic commodity then spread itself into the practice of art. Making the process of art a commodity, which in itself has fragmented the enjoyment for many. For me the process of just creating art has been my focus. Losing one’s self during the process can be so liberating. However, many artists face issues of self-doubt and even have trouble creating a few strokes on paper, because they believe their ideals do not fit into society.

That is why it is so important for art in the African context to focus on liberation as a community. Only through connections and spending time with fellow artists who share the same sentiment, can we break through these barriers to become what we truly desire.

I hope to inspire people to create and build long lasting relationships that they can truly rely on for the sake of art.

What is Art Party?

Art party started after a birthday party I had at home. It was then decided that some of us would meet up regularly to create art and learn from each other.

It also became a place to share information about upcoming art events. By knowing that someone would be attending an event it would not feel so intimidating.