Marita off to North Carolina University to exhibit
She is one of 12 artists from over the world whose art will be on display
A local artist, Marita Bezuidenhout has received an exciting opportunity to have a collection of her works exhibited during June at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte, US.
Bezuidenhout is one of 12 artists from over the world whose art will be on display at the university's Charlotte Student Union Art Gallery. The theme is Echoes of South
Africa.
Among the 37 works Bezuidenhout is taking with her, are five large paintings (1,4m x 1,2m) that depict important stages and facets of the late President Nelson Mandela's life in a striking manner.
The other works are varied and showcase local wildlife, children, the protea, and women in a light, vibrant and playful manner. Many of these she painted on printed fabric with typically South African designs.
The exhibition will be a month long and takes place in June. "I am thrilled. I was not expecting to even make the shortlist. This invitation has truly moved me to create works that I am excited about. It is different from painting commercially. For Echoes of South Africa I got to tell a story, and that stirs up inspiration in me.
"The university is really going to great lengths to give South Africa a platform.
They are organising an opening evening and do all the promotion for the exhibition. I think the Mandelas clinched this for me and I hope they will be noticed. I am very proud of them," said Bezuidenhout, who paints under the pseudonym Sophia Seegers.
previously reported on the extraordinary Mandela paintings with which she tried to capture the essence of who the man was. Each painting depicts certain of his character traits by drawing a connection with one of Africa's Big Five - the lion, buffalo, rhino, the leopard and the elephant.
"I had to do extensive research and it was a challenging journey, but I believe a Higher Hand kept pushing me to complete it. Only once they were completed, I realised they captured much more than I initially intended."
The other South African who will be exhibiting at Echoes of South Africa is a photographer, Jessica Franco, who currently lives in Charolotte, but when in South Africa, she tries to capture the country's breathtaking landscapes with her camera.