Mauritian artist shines at local exhibition
NINDYA Bucktowar experiments with pigment dyes and Eastern symbolism in her collaboration with well-known local artists for the exhibition Beauty and its Beasts at the Durban Art Gallery, which runs until the end of May.
Born and raised in Mauritius, she left home at the age of 18 to study science at the University of Cape Town, then did architecture at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth.
After graduating in 2013, she decided to start her own design studio specialising in art, leather and upholstery as well as architectural services.
“One of our contributions to the exhibition was a write-up about the different themes chosen,” she says. “I explore traditional cultural patterns as well as contemporary graphics, re-imagining these shapes through a modern lens,” she says.
Bucktowar reinterprets the traditional Eastern cultural symbolism which infuses her heritage in South Africa and Mauritius.
She incorporates African iconography to re-examine the possibilities of mixed mediums.
“I experiment with pigment ink on paper and acrylic paint and texture paste on canvas – including wood, stones, seeds and traditional Zulu beer pots.”
She is constantly inspired by her environment and tries to surround herself with creativity and creative people.
Many people are attracted to Durban’s warm and friendly climate, she says. “As a city it has a lot to offer the soul. It is lush, rich and vibrant.
“I feel stimulated by my environment, traditional Eastern and African cultural symbolism to strive to make beautiful things.”
Asked whether she has to deal with the financial struggle most artists face, Bucktowar says she would prefer to spend more time as an artist but in the current economy multi-disciplinary skills are essential to ensure financial and personal progress.
“South Africa is a booming place for artists and creative types. I believe in making the most of what every day has to offer and try to make the maximum use of my abilities by constantly creating.
“My artistic journey is the highlight of my life and I look forward to growing and developing my skills with the materials and discourses I explore.”
The Beauty and its Beasts exhibition is curated by Jenny Stretton with collaborations from Jessica Bothma, Carol Brown, Zinhle Khumalo, Sinethemba Ngubane, Osmosisliza, Fran Saunders and Swany.
The show at the Durban Art Gallery examines how the concept of stereotyping came about and how artists have either sustained or subverted the discourse surrounding it.
Art enthusiasts can see Bucktowar’s contribution on display until May 28.