Juanita Oosthuizen
“To be creative – not only in artistic expression, but also in daily life – this has always been my passion”
A chance encounter many years ago in the Tate Modern in London triggered my current choice of artistic medium. That day, I came across a tiny artwork in a vast, empty hall with a tiny figure as subject. It immediately appealed to my love of delicate minimalism.
Today, I am inspired to come up with creative ways to incorporate miniature figurines into works of art – placing them in a carefully planned scenario fashioned from board and paper. This is mounted in a box frame to create a 3D environment.
I work mostly in black, white and grey, sometimes introducing a smattering of colour to create an element of surprise. When I compose a piece, I find myself instinctively drawn to depict something surreal, wistful, pensive and sometimes playful. At times, I use old photographs as a backdrop to the figurines, to create an element of nostalgia and tender memory. Clients have also on occasion, asked me to create a piece that depicts a fond memory from their own past.
Recently I have introduced paper weaving as another artistic medium. I enjoy the process of weaving and love the texture of the final image. The process is challenging not to disturb and distort the picture - but so that it is still recognisable. The new woven image is unique – “broken but healed”. My work varies from playful to serious and emotional, with the subject matter telling a story through the body language or interaction of the figurines. I create a space for the spectator to make his or her own interpretation.
I find inspiration everywhere – in nature, in daily life, in the city, in books on illustration, photography and design.
I am blessed with an abundance of energy and an overactive imagination. Images constantly tumble into consciousness,
and the days, weeks and months often feel simply too short for all I still wish to accomplish.’
