My world unravelling ‘a lockdown therapeutic process’
By CityLife Arts Writer
This exhibition of Ansa Clacey contains entitled My world unravelling work in oil combined with embroideries completed during the lockdown phase.
“I’ve always been drawn to small snapshot landscapes which touch me emotionally and nostalgically. They are the record-keeping evidence of my life and shaped my existence as an individual. COVID-19 arrived on our shores and I couldn’t travel. Intuitively, I started painting these landscapes as a therapeutic process. As the mood became more sombre the landscapes became fragile and therefore needed protection.”
Over the years, the artist has been fascinated by the Madonna figures that she came across in old village churches. Seven years ago, she began embroidering them because it always reminds her of her mother. “My landscapes needed these Madonna figures as protectors.”
As the Covid-19 situation worsened, the Madonna would be replaced by beasts that could come from childhood dreams. They are embroidered on fragile silk organza and old napkins that she sourced at markets in India and Florence and the threads and cottons are mementos that were given to her by her mother and friends. “The stitching became the therapy and a way to transform, re-imagine and knit personal history into myth and storytelling. They disturb and seduce.”
The exhibition can be viewed form Friday 25 September to Saturday 10 October 2020 with an open day and an opportunity to meet Ansa in person and talk to her about her work on Saturday 26 September 2020 from 10h00 and 13h00.
The exhibition is currently running Association of Arts Pretoria, 173 Mackie Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, from 25 September to 10 October 2020.