ARTi Gallery
AGAC 2024 3rd Place Winner - Marguerite Smal - The Pearl of Limpopo
AGAC 2024 3rd Place Winner - Marguerite Smal - The Pearl of Limpopo
| Artist Name: | Marguerite Smal |
| Title: | The Pearl of Limpopo |
| Size: | 1000.00mm x 1000.00mm |
| Medium | Oil paint on Canvas |
| Framed: | Unframed |
| Price: | R39,000 |
| Artist Bio: |
Marguerite Smal is a self-taught South African artist whose work is deeply rooted in the exploration of identity, societal roles, and the natural world. Born and raised in Pretoria, Marguerite's passion for art was ignited during her high school years under the guidance of her art teacher, Mr. Marcus Coetser. His influence left a lasting impact on her creative development, shaping her approach to both technique and storytelling. In 2020, Marguerite made a bold shift, leaving behind her successful career as a software developer to pursue her true calling as an artist. She started a small leather workshop, which allowed her to channel her creativity into various artistic endeavours, from handmade leather goods to intricate visual art. This decision marked a significant turning point in her life, enabling her to dedicate herself fully to her art and explore new creative horizons. Living on a farm in Hennopsrivier, Gauteng, Marguerite finds constant inspiration in the natural beauty around her. Her environment, combined with a deep admiration for the strength and resilience of South African women, serves as the foundation for much of her work. She is particularly drawn to the stories of women who navigate the complexities of modern life while staying connected to their cultural and traditional roots. Marguerite's preferred mediums are oil paint, charcoal, and aquarelle pencils, which allow her to create rich textures and depth in her work. Whether using the boldness of oil paint to convey emotion or the soft subtleties of charcoal and pastels to bring out intricate details, she selects her medium based on the subject and the story she aims to tell. Each medium offers a different way to explore light, shadow, and texture, helping her to vividly portray the characteristics and stories of her subjects. Her recent works focus on the internal conflict faced by young women torn between traditional expectations and the pressures of contemporary society. Her art explores the dual roles that women are often expected to play — as nurturers and providers, highlighting the emotional and cultural challenges they encounter. These themes resonate strongly in South Africa’s diverse cultural landscape, where women are frequently expected to balance family, career, and heritage. Through her artwork, Marguerite captures the strength, vulnerability, and resilience of women, offering a nuanced portrayal of the challenges they face in an ever-evolving world. |
| Inspiration | My work titled The Pearl of Limpopo, as Inspired by the work of Franz Xaver Winterhalter, drew inspiration from all the diverse, strong women in South Africa. The woman depicted in the work, Named Calfonia, is a leather worker. She is from Limpopo, but like many other people she had to leave her village behind to work in Johannesburg. This work emphasizes the modern cultural dilemma of being torn between your traditional roots, and a modern, economic society. In the work of art Calfonia is wearing a traditional skirt, but the lace fan in her hand is of complete European origin. Her beads are in a traditional style, but it’s made of pearls. This is a visual metaphor for how time has blurred the lines between what was traditionally acceptable at home, and modern cultural influences. Women in South Africa has Faught for so many years for equality. Yet, they still face so much invisible scrutiny. Either from their peers, elders or in the workplace. With this work of art, the artist wishes to tell every single woman, young and old to keep being assertive when your rights are on the line, never stop fighting for equality, and never stop being exactly who it is you want to be as a woman. |
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