In the world of contemporary art, the concept of ‘the human condition’ serves as a source of inspiration for many artists. One artist who delves into this profound subject matter is Natasja de Wet, a South African creative whose portfolio effortlessly transcends the boundaries of medium and discipline.
While De Wet may not explicitly set out to make grandiose statements about specific facets of the human condition, a closer look at her art reveals a profound exploration of the inherent ‘angst’ associated with being human.
Her works, spanning painting, mixed-media drawing, three-dimensional assemblage and installation, provide viewers with an opportunity to engage with the complexities of human existence.
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One of De Wet’s most acclaimed forms of artistic expression is oil painting. In these striking pieces, she employs thick, rich brushstrokes, often on acrylic sheets. These paintings can be seen as informal portraits, where images and faces emerge from a seemingly chaotic darkness.
By layering several sheets of acrylic, De Wet adds depth to her art, concealing and revealing visual information, thus amplifying the energy and vulnerability conveyed through her subjects.
Her drawings and mixed-media works are equally compelling, often linked to her three-dimensional assemblages crafted from found objects. These works seem to entail a process of gradually ‘excavating meaning’ from objects collected in an intuitive and seemingly random manner.
One example of this approach involved collecting detritus from a local mental institution, where De Wet had rented studio space.
Items like a rusty bed base with exposed springs, old keys with stamped and coded metal tags and a burnt-out gas heater became powerful metaphors for marginalised sections of society that evoke fear, anxiety and unease among the so-called ‘normal’ populace.
De Wet transformed these objects into portraits of the spiritual presence of unknown, afflicted individuals, drawn on extra-large canvases with a mixture of inks and charcoal in a spontaneous style.
Ultimately, all of De Wet’s work can be viewed as a form of portraiture. Much like a masterful portrait painter offers viewers an almost voyeuristic glimpse into a person’s nature, De Wet instinctively strives to reveal facets of the inner character and the softer, more vulnerable side of humanity.
Born in South Africa in 1968, Natasja de Wet embarked on a creative journey that led her through a fine art and graphic design programme at the Tshwane University of Technology.
Her quest to subtly portray the human psyche in visual art prompted her to study psychophonetics, an approach to psychotherapy and personal development, under the guidance of Yehuda Tagar at Persephone College.
De Wet’s artistic evolution continued with studies in drawing and painting at the University of South Africa (UNISA). In 2017, she achieved a Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Art at the Michaelis School of Fine Art (University of Cape Town), graduating with distinction.
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She furthered her academic journey with a semester course in Academic Language and Literacy in English at UNISA in 2020.
Through her work, De Wet aspires to unveil the inner character and the softer, more vulnerable aspects of humankind. Her mediums of choice – mixed media, drawing and painting – enable her to visually contemplate internal experiences such as growth, insecurity, sexuality, flux and the diverse expressions of the human psyche.
Natasja de Wet’s artistic journey has been marked by numerous solo exhibitions and participation in group exhibitions, both in South Africa and internationally.
Notable moments include her participation in the Florence Biennale (Italy, 2009), the Izmir Biennale (Turkey, 2011) and Afrovibes at Galerie Chiellerie (The Netherlands, 2008). Her artworks now grace the collections of prestigious institutions such as Sasol Gas, the city of Seinäjoki, Finland and the National Museum of South Africa.
One of De Wet’s noteworthy bodies of work, titled ‘Melancholia’ (2017–2018), is currently on loan to the Pathology Learning Centre at the Department of Pathology, UCT Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town.
Presently, De Wet is engrossed in labour-intensive commissioned work for the Art Bank of South Africa.
Her work delves into the tangible translation and therapeutic engagement with the psychological repercussions of abuse and unequal patriarchal personal relationships, shedding light on issues like fear, shame and vulnerability, which stem from gender inequality within the family household.
Natasja de Wet’s art, with its rich exploration of the human experience, continues to captivate and engage viewers, encouraging us to reflect on the intricacies of our own existence.
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Picture: Natasja de Wet / Facebook