Artist Profile: Namibia
Artist Profile:
Pierre van der Westhuizen
The South Africa born artist, internationally known for his symbolic and
image-rich lino-cuts, relocated to Namibia some 7 years ago where he
ventured into a new direction triggered by the country's
unique natural environment. Pierre's second solo exhibition at 'Die Muschel Book & Art' in Swakopmund,
in November 2004, showcased the new work for the first time -
pastel drawings
of historical buildings set in mostly barren and lifeless landscapes. The
almost clinical starkness of the man-made structures in his work make the
viewer aware of the transient nature of human life and its structures, and
accentuate the ever-present ongoing processes in nature. It is as if decay
is always implicated in the precise execution of the buildings. There is a
feeling of melancholy and desolation to the depicted well-known subjects,
which leads the viewer to reconsider that which is taken for granted.
View extracts from the portfolio of paintings
Pierre van der Westhuizen has done a new
series of
lino-cuts during the year 2005. This series of 24 different prints is divided
into 6 groups of 4: The Four Elements, The Four Seasons, The Four Directions,
the Four Stages of the Moon, the First Four Numbers and The Four Cards. Each
artwork is numbered and titled accordingly. Additionally, each artwork has an
extra word referring to the general idea behind the subject matter, but which
does not prescribe the content. In all, the 6 groups, the 4 components of a
group and the extra word on each artwork refer to further units, and more
specifically, fragments. This series of 24 artworks represents 24 unique,
personal, concise and limited fragments or units in time.
The 24 works can broadly be divided into 2 groups: The
symbolic and the ritualistic. The former group consists of formats covered with
symbols, metaphor and narrative. The latter group is more mystical and often
consists of a fantastical setting in a landscape. Some of the works contain
both.
Pierre van der Westhuizen, an artist well-known in Africa
and abroad, has received numerous prizes for his work. He was awarded the
Standard Bank prize as UNISA's most outstanding student in his final year and
completed his degree with a distinction in the practical component. He also
received a merit prize at the prestigious Volkskas Atelier Art Competition, a
third prize in the Vryeweekblad Poster competition and a silver award in the
Rolfes' Impressions National Student Exhibition. At the Kempton Park/Tembisa Art
Competition his work was indicated as one of the ten best works on the
exhibition. His work is well represented in various corporate, public and
private collections around the world.
Van der Westhuizen, with experience of more than 20 years
in lino-cutting and other disciplines, explores a multitude of themes in his
work which translates to a multitude of images juxtaposed on the picture format.
Images from his immediate environment are researched, dismantled, reassembled
and changed to form something new. These images are put together in new
relationships to form a personal, yet universally understandable, symbolic
language. Some images are repeated in different forms of various artworks which
indicates multiple meanings. It is in van der Westhuizen's avid use of metaphor,
ambiguous images and technical expertise, that he succeeds.
A traditional print-maker, Van der Westhuizen believes
that technical skill is as important as the image and takes great care to
deliver prints which are expertly printed on an etching press on wet hand-made
paper. This paper, imported from Germany is completely acid-free and lends
itself perfectly to the embossed effect the artist specialises in. All the works
on this exhibition were printed, with kind permission, in the printing studio at
the John Muafangejo Art Centre during this year.
View samples of the lino-cut
series 2005 or
return to top
 Proceed toLino-cuts Pierre van der Westhuizen |
Return to the Home Page & Overview of Featured Profiles Visit or Return to WebITNamibia / Web - doS |
 |
© Copyright - Author - Webmaster: Web - doS /
Windhoek, Namibia / Tel: ++264-61-242431 / Email:
art@webitnamibia.com
All rights reserved / User information obtained through this website will not be
disclosed to third parties
Last Update: 02/09/2006
Artist Profile: Pierre van der Westhuizen, Namibia, lino-cuts & paintings