LANDMARKS: COEGA

Landmarks is a story of the land, our relationship with it, and how we view that relationship – macroscopically and microscopically.  Within the psychological and physical context of illuminating something for examination, and creating barriers to keep out that which is desired and protect that which is not, there can be no more fertile area for allegorical and literal material, than Coega, East of Port Elizabeth.

This series of paintings focuses on this area, where a deep water harbour and Industrial Development Zone have just been built, subject to on-going conflict between business and environmentalists.   The main points of contention have been heavy metal pollution, and supply of electricity and water to the area.  Eskom have installed  high voltage overhead powerlines for vast distances through the Karoo to attract heavy industrial investors.  In addition, millions of litres of water will be required, in an area which is already drought stricken.  However, the Coega IDZ sets leads the way amongst the worlds industrial zones, by employing a team of dedicated environmental scientists, and has achieved much in terms of limiting damage, such as being the first poison-free IDZ on the planet, contracting Arnold Slabbert, who uses trained raptors to control the rodent and feral pigeon population.

The paintings are arranged in a spiral, from smallest to biggest, a form which is fundamental in nature from sea shells to spiral galaxies to our own DNA helix.  The spiral, also evident in the composition of the artworks, has been arranged in geographic order, as if the viewer were standing on a hill, and casting his eye around in a circle.  Starting at the coastal salt pans  and moving inland, we move back in both time and space, to the path, mountain and quarry - thus going from areas of rapid change to those which have remained unchanged for decades.

Salt is not only inextricably bound to human survival and history, but has been a focal visual point in the Eastern Cape for many years. The straight lines and intersecting geometric shapes of the Cerebos salt pans are a strange companion to their natural coastal setting, and the kaleidoscopic colours from turquoise to violet seem impossibly intense.  The images are painted with the utmost simplicity, inviting one to linger and ponder, eg. the pipe on its ladder of logs, although a man made intrusion, has become a part of the landscape, which is representative of how human need is contained in and by the universal ecosystem.  Repetition and reflection remind us that all is a holograph – as above, so below.

Both the water and land based images have reverse images anchoring them, creating a sense of vertigo, an uncertainty, a desire to understand more.  As we move around, we see the construction works that are building a bridge to replace the less obtrusive existing bridge, and the cloverleaf intersection, imposed on the landscape like a malevolent alien plant.  From there we move onto the old gravel road leading to the stone quarry – the starting point of man’s intervention in the Coega area.

The work is intended to create confusion – a sense of looking on and yet being drawn in – both observer and participant in this drama.  What is my relationship with the land, what are my responsibilities towards the natural environment – does passivity exonerate?  Just as we ourselves are a part of the ecosystem, so our regional concerns, victories and challenges are not only specific to us, but a part of the universal experience, and it is my intention that this body of work conscientizes the viewer into greater awareness of, and responsibility for, the planet which sustains us all.

link to The Herald arts revue: http://www.theherald.co.za/entertainment/article.aspx?id=504114

link to La Femme supplement feature: http://www.theherald.co.za/lifestyle/lafemme/article.aspx?id=505024

SALTLINES (diptych)

Acrylic & oil on canvas

140 x 70 x 2.5 cms each

EXTREMOPHILIA

Acrylic and oil on canvas

130 x 100 x 2.5 cms

DOLOSSE

Acrylic & oil on canvas

130 x 100 x 2.5 cms

CLOVERLEAF

Acrylic & oil on canvas

140 x 110 x 2.5 cms

BRIDGEWORKS

Acrylic & oil on canvas

140 x 110 x 2.5 cms

SALT PAN AT COEGA

Acrylic and Oil on Canvas

100 x 100 X 2.5cms

THE OLD BRIDGE & THE NEW

Acrylic & oil on canvas

140 x 110 x 2.5 cms  SOLD

KOEGAKOP ROAD

Acryic & oil on canvas

140 x 110 x 2.5 cms

COEGA QUARRY

Acrylic & oil on canvas

180 X 110 X 2.5 cms