Original South African Art: Yellow Yolande - Feeling the Essence of Van Gogh

Artist: Yellow Yolande

Title: Feeling the Essence of Van Gogh

Size: 420 mm x 594 mm (A2)

Medium: Alcohol, tea, ink, watercolours, and oil on paper

Price: R26 000

Framed

Description:

I chose Vincent van Gogh’s 1889 Self-portrait as a reference for my re-imagined artwork. In this self-portrait, Van Gogh felt that he had captured his true character the best. He painted this self-portrait shortly after he had a breakdown and was admitted to a mental institution. Our need to be captured at our best, especially after having a crisis where we might be mischaracterised is an essential part of our human nature. We find mischaracterisations of ourselves deeply troubling, and it seems as if Van Gogh tried to correct that with this portrait. He aimed to capture himself as an accomplished artist with seriousness and confidence, yet there are still signs of worry, emotional vulnerability and doubt captured in his self-portrait. I love this about art. Internal reality always projects itself onto the object. We cannot hide from our true selves.

In my version of Van Gogh’s self-portrait, I tried to capture Van Gogh’s character from my point of view: a serious, sensitive character who had the courage to face life in full view and managed to display his experiences in vivid, eccentric, vibrant colours, and lines. I deliberately did not include the paintbrushes and palette because to me Van Gogh is much more than an artist. To me he represents a brilliant mind who was misunderstood by his generation only to be valued after his death. This is the story of many people today. Too many of us are valued after our death. May Van Gogh remind us to look deeper into the faces of those around us and may we be reminded to see them as they are so that we can celebrate each other now, today.

Yellow Yolande is a South African Artist and a Top 100 finalist in the AGAC 2023.