The beautifully elegant works the young Carmen van Staden (22) entered into the 2016 Phatshoane Henney New Breed Art Competition was the overwhelming favourite among art lovers, resulting in her winning the Public Choice Award.
Interestingly enough Carmen is currently studying towards her honours degree in architecture at the University of the Free State, but she finds that her art inspires her architecture and vice versa. “My passion for creating art is something I enjoy doing in my free time. If I had to do it full time, I feel that I would force the creativity and spontaneity of my artworks, thereby in a sense detracting from the sincerity behind the meaning or theme behind the art,” she reflects.
Her main medium of choice is ink. “I am mesmerised by its translucent nature, allowing me to layer and add to the depth of my work. The spontaneity of the medium is also key to my language as an artist. My themes are generally emotive, based on experiences and how they make one feel, societal expectations and life stories. To me, expressing emotion is the most raw, truthful and relatable form of art.”
Both works she entered in to the competition, were included in the main exhibition at Oliewenhuis Art Museum. Erupted Thoughts, she explains, captures the overwhelming whirlwind of emotions experienced when confronted with the idea of falling. As if your thoughts turn to liquid, you have no control and no means of composing or containing your thoughts and emotions. Yet, she points out, the origami birds act as a form of reassurance that all is not lost and amidst the chaos there is always a steady and graceful presence reminding you of what you are capable of. “The thread is crucial in the essence of the work as it is stitching the man together, keeping him from falling apart. The work reflects the trials we are faced with throughout our lives and how we always, somehow, make it through it all with immense fervour and grace.”
In turn, The Flier speaks to the idea of static falling, as it is captured in a moment of time. “It often feels like life spirals out of control, that we’re falling and slipping away from all order and control by the pressures of work and social expectations. Yet, we are never falling without conscious or unconscious protection, which is the secret, sacred essence the origami birds encapsulate. The birds are the ‘guiding forces’ in our lives, keeping us afloat when we feel like we can’t do it ourselves. It’s like the idea of falling without fear. Is it then falling? It might even be flying.”
Both works were sold, followed by the Public Choice Award leading to even greater support from a large number of art fans, some even contacting her for private commissions. “I never would have thought that entering this competition would open up to many doors for me. But most importantly it gives you a little more confidence as an artist.”