80 HELEN VAN STOLK Bursting Into Life

BURSTING INTO LIFE Helen van Stolk Solo Exhibition 23 Nov – 17 Dec By Gita Claassen

Once again, AITY Gallery is proud to present Helen van Stolk’s organic botanical abstracts in a solo show by the artist. Helen’s lively paintings take on a distinct earthiness this time around and reminds of the woody scents of fynbos after rain – one can almost hear the bees and the Yellow Bishops just beyond sight. The muted colours are modern and right on trend while simultaneously retaining a classic quality, so should be a delight to anyone looking to add art to their interior space this season.

Helen’s abstracts have structure seldom seen in this genre – clear foreground, middle- and backgrounds can be detected, with placement of main elements in strong positions within the frame. Where abstracts can often feel chaotic, the diagonally placed objects, even though overlapping, retain a certain spaciousness and harmony. The fragmented “bushes” and “flowers” are free and flowing, never confined, and deliciously whimsical.

Magic in your World, 1150 x 1150

“This exhibition is a beautiful reminder of the restorative impact the natural world can have on the human spirit.”

She uses oils in conjunction with other materials, which lend a luxurious feel on the canvas, and the various mark-making techniques lend texture and mood. Most of Helen’s paintings are perfect for interior spaces in which one wants to relax – tranquillity avails, with just enough contrast to keep interest.

BURSTING INTO LIFE is Helen van Stolk’s third solo exhibition. She takes the viewer on an exploratory journey of her intuitive process, allowing them to become joint-creators through thought and share in the creative pleasure.

Her work has a freedom like never before and captures the energizing effects nature can have on us. Her practice involves regular inspirational top-up trips out of the studio and into nature – sketching, writing and feeling. These moments are held internally to gradually and meditatively unfold on the canvas. This exhibition is a beautiful reminder of the restorative impact the natural world can have on the human spirit.

Artist Statement; “To suggest and express the energy, mood, and feeling an object, space or person gifts me: that is the dream. It is not the external, the case it comes in, not the façade and the tangible, but the spirit I wish to portray. I follow the path; a feeling or story takes me down, and I let the work unfold, exploring detail with awe, but letting it diminish into moments of meditation.

I use a variety of materials – ink, pencils, acrylic, oil and collage, to get in touch with my subject matter, allowing the process of working and playing to intuitively guide me. The act of mark-making, putting down, taking away, placing, shifting and being still takes me to a place where I want to be. Light and positivity has always been important in my work, which is why there are visible traces of embracing these elements in the work I do.”

Who says plants don’t talk, 1150 x 1150