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ARTi Gallery

AGAC 2024 Top 25 Finalist - Marlie Joubert - Painfully Enriched with a Heavenly Stitch

AGAC 2024 Top 25 Finalist - Marlie Joubert - Painfully Enriched with a Heavenly Stitch

Regular price R 30,700.00 ZAR
Regular price Sale price R 30,700.00 ZAR
Sale Sold out
Artist Name: Marlie Joubert
Title: Painfully Enriched with a Heavenly Stitch
Size: 1800.00mm x 630.00mm
Medium Concrete
Framed: Not Applicable
Price: R30,700
Artist Bio:

In high school, art class was a therapeutic, safe-haven - the teachers inspiring and understanding. My love of art was cultivated and the seed within started growing.

I was raised by a strong, talented, single mother which led to my early understanding of God’s ever presence in my life and my dependence on Him.  Writing this, His providence and amazing grace is evident to me.

Working as a waitress from age 15 and continuing after school funded my studies and independent living.

An opportunity to work at DSW under the mentorship of Angus Taylor taught me so much about art but more about life. My life was impacted immensely.

Currently I’m a mom and freelance artist. I have a wonderful husband and two gorgeous sons. I’m privileged to be part of ‘the lucky few’ having the opportunity to raise a son with different abilities (superpowers) - especially empathy for others and resilience. He also happens to have Trisomy 21. I live in an abundance of love.

Inspiration The sculpture is based on Frida Kahlo’s “The broken column” and other self-portraits.  Frida’s life was submerged in pain and suffering, which is evident in her paintings.  There is a strong portrayal of this physical and emotional pain.
 
The sculpture portrays an African Frida, whose strength is forged through pain.  She seems vulnerable, prayer-like and melancholic.  There is a duality in the sculpture, it focuses on restoration and healing - thus a healed unscarred body but... also invisible emotional pain and scars.  There is a juxtaposition and tension between pain, inner turmoil, perseverance in the face of suffering and healing. 
 
Her shoulders are strong, evident of her strength and resilience. She has a bold, though soft feminine pose with her shoulders back and chin up. Bearing her life and not just bearing witness to it. She draws strength from above, covered with a delicate layer of grace.  She becomes an ode to woman living boldly and authentically despite deep emotional scars.  
 
On the base mirrors make the onlooker part of the sculpture and turns the gaze inwards to self reflection. The mosaic patterns resemble traditional patterns, grounding her in her African tradition. 
 
Healing and restoration can come from laying down everything at the cross and fixing your eyes on Jesus.  You can bravely release the mute muse, swaddled in delicate layers of perception breaking the silence and becoming eloquent in your native tongue.  Living brave, bold, with love, integrity, truth and empathy: painfully enriched with a heavenly stitch.
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