In 2018, I was commissioned by the Pretoria-based non-profit organisation, PEN, to create nine conceptual artworks for their newly renovated head office in Sunnyside. Over seven months, I worked to capture the essence of PEN’s diverse initiatives—from housing for vulnerable communities to educational projects and recycling centres. Through interviews with staff and beneficiaries, I gained deep insight into this remarkable organisation. My passion for education also led me to volunteer at their after-school program for vulnerable children, further enriching my experience. I am humbled and proud to have contributed to this organisation through this conceptual series!
This collection of artworks weaves together individual narratives under a unified theme of potential and transformation. Each piece is crafted from repurposed materials—old documentation papers, CDs, wool, wood off-cuts, Nespresso pods—symbolising the beneficiaries that PEN serves. Humans that are often seen as outcasts in society. By elevating waste into art, I seek to highlight the beauty and inherent potential within all things, emphasising that with time, care, and respect, anyone's unique essence can be revealed. This collection invites viewers to reflect on the power of transformation, celebrating both the materials and the lives they represent, reminding us that everyone already is and have the capacity to become so much more than what they are perceived to be!
A FEW PHOTO'S OF THE EXHIBITION OPENING NIGHT IN FEBRUARY 2019:
I also exhibited a few of my photography prints!
Me during my 2023 visit to PEN!
