// June 30th, 2010 // View Comments // b-loud
An incredibly talented artist who joined our art community in May was born under the warm November sun and security surveillance of Johannesburg in South Africa. Gerda Magdalena le Roux van Wyk found her escape in daydreams. After completing a degree in Fine Art and embarking on a career in education, she recently relocated to the UK and is living in tranquil Teddington from where she observes migrating birds. Her paintings reveal the meditative times between moments when we are lost in thought. Using our leading crowdsourcing commission art service at b-uncut you can buy paintings online in Gerda’s fresh, serene style from her delicate and skilled hand. As you will see Gerda also creates enchanting drawings, photographs and digital work. Read the interview below and get to know the artist fancy Gerda Magdalena le Roux van Wyk.
“In self-absorption we contemplate decisions by considering the past and the future.”
What was your very first artwork?
I think the first time I realized that I was making something worth mentioning above the pictures the other kids were colouring, was when the headmaster of my primary school called me to his office in year 3. I was naturally frightened to death as I had no idea what the reason was for me being called in. I imagined the worst and started inventing excuses for any naughtiness that might have occurred in the weeks before. When I was sat before him, he took out a picture that I had drawn of a dove with a Munch-like background and asked me whether I had drawn it – my mind spiraled into inventing a series of reasons why he thought I had done something wrong by drawing it (having grown up in a conservative Christian community under the Apartheid government, you can imagine my fears!). He proceeded however, by praising my artistic talent and suggested to my parents that I should take art lessons.
Describe the piece you love the most—why?
My favorite piece is probably ‘Leave’, a painting made in the weeks before I left my life and family behind to live and work in the UK. It is probably one of my most honest works and a portrayal of my way of dealing with the world. I think I achieved something unique in the technique: using a combination of collage, acrylic and spray-paint on wood.
What are your methods? Your inspirations?
I usually work quite slowly and create work when I am inspired to do so rather than trying to turn out a large quantity of emotionless works. I find my inspiration in uncertainty, emotional turmoil and phases of transition and change. When life is stable and predictable I become restless and I seek adventure. Paradoxically I have had a storm-free life, a peaceful childhood and have been exceptionally well provided for. I have been told that I exude an aura of calm!
I have always been an ardently passionate photographer and have continually documented my life and the people around me. From these images I draw my inspiration. My immediate surroundings have become an essential element in my art.
It was programmed into my genetics to be a collector and I gather items of nostalgic value in sketchbooks and on photographs. I am fascinated by the ties that link the women in our family and the traits and talents that have been passed down through many generations.
So the themes in my work revolve around travelling, migration, dreaming, meditation, environment and a sense of place, ancestry and heritage, safety and protection and the inherent phenomenon of universal balance.
In terms of technique I have explored the mysterious depths of darkroom photography, digital photography and the boundless possibilities offered by Adobe Photoshop, acrylic painting, drawing and sculpture. And as I am a hopelessly indecisive person, I just combine all of these into the works you see in my portfolio.
What did it take to make it to where you are now?
An incurable addiction to adventure! The lack of foresight to realize that I should have followed a sensible and responsible career path, and well intended encouragement from all the right people. Naturally spiced with the narcissistic compulsion all artists have, to share my experiences and emotions.
Do you make a living from your artwork?
No, I realised soon enough that the ‘suffering artist’ tag does not hang well around my neck and completed a PGCE and became an ashamedly passionate teacher of Art. It pays the bills and allows for long holidays in which to make some work of my own. Strangely I am quite inspired by my students.
Who has helped you along the way?
My parents who took me to art lessons all my life and allowed me to study as frivolous a degree as Art, and became my most merciless (and highly valued!) critics.
There are a coulpe of muses, artists and mentors that I meet per chance from time to time and encourage me to continue making work: the South African artists Gordon Froud (also a gallery owner and former lecturer of mine), Dianne Victor (who taught me that one should continually reinvent one self, and that mediocre is never acceptable) and Carl Jeppe (who taught me that drawing is a continual process of comparison and adjustment), and finally the photographer and gallery owner Christo Harvey.
What 5 artists (DoA) would you invite for the ultimate dinner party?
Egon Schiele, Friedrich Hundertwasser, Frieda Kahlo, Francisco de Goya and (Not an artist but intricately woven into art history:) Peggy Guggenheim
Your favourite curse?
May you live in interesting times.
Your biggest (albeit endearing) flaw?
Stubbornness
Qualities a man needs to seduce you and the flaws that will repel you?
+ Intellect, enlightenment, ambition, sense for adventure, very strong personality, loyal heart.
- Not keep a date or a promise without excuse or notifying me. Faint-heartedness.
Your parents advice you should have followed, but didn’t?
Not much besides the regular teenager stuff. They weren’t too keen on my desire to ride a motorcycle (off road), but gave in and bought me a fairly flashy one anyway and sent me for advanced rider’s lessons.
Your idea of the perfect weekend?
Filled with adventures, sight seeing, and a spice rack of activities: art museums, picnicking, nature, socializing and travel.
The cool ocean or a picturesque mountain… dinners at home with friends and bubbly.
Who would you chose to rule the world?
TED.com
Favourite ice-cream?
Nothing like the real thing in Rome! Something nutty or a simple vanilla.
Where do you see yourself in…..One month?
I will be doing an art Residency at Gallerie Myra in Vence, France from 13 June 2010 – 30 July 2010!
Wine, cheese, paint and the French riviera!
One Year?
Lecturing art at an FE college and producing my own art on the side. Bringing enlightenment to the young generation.
Or perhaps I might have made up my mind as to what I want to do with my life.
One Decade?
Continuing my education with a Masters and later a PhD.
Per chance running a gallery or working for one.
I might have chosen an entirely new career.
Hopefully still in Europe or the UK.
Married to a rich prince charming who will allow me to paint all day and run private art classes when we are not globe trotting.
Bringing cultural and environmental awareness to Africa.
