SIMPLE T.&.S.T. = Simple Things and Simple Thoughts

Lockdown Art: Simple T.E.S.T. Cable TieLow Relief Light Sculptures

THE STORY

Do you remember the first 21-days of Lockdown?

I took part in an artist challenge where we made art every day for 21 days (with a couple of added extra days of lockdown). I was house-sitting for my mother and had no access to my art studio, so I tried to find ways to improvise. I came across cable ties in the kitchen drawer and really liked the flexibility and strength of the medium. I set off to create sculptural drawings with these cable ties.

Post-Lockdown I was still busy experimenting with cable ties and came up with the contemporary collection, "Simple T.E.S.T.". It was a testament to my sculptural adaptability for creating outside of the studio. I then decided to document my thoughts and feelings while re-engaging with society after the serious self-isolation. My awareness was at an optimal level as I self-observed my interactions with others by keeping a visual diary.

I was drawn to the poetry book, "Simple Things and Simple Thoughts," by Eldon Taylor. At the same time, Taylor brought a new dimension to the feeling or subject I was dealing with at the time. He allowed me to see multiple perspectives, freeing me from any rigid idea or association I would have with the subject.

Usually, visions appear while I am reading the poem. Often, I would intuitively create forms with the cable ties and match them to the poem. Other times, I would find inspiration from images from the National Geographic 1980s collection and start puzzling them together. Every piece of artwork is created by a type of "sense-feeling".

I also had an interest in artwork that has a communicative quality. I read up on Rebus Codes and started to play around. A Rebus Code is a puzzle device that combines the use of illustrated pictures and individual letters to depict words or phrases.

The colour pallet is influenced by a combination of styles, including Contemporary Modernity, Abstraction, Surrealism, and Impressionism. There is an element of healing tied to the works of art, which is discovered once time is spent with the image and poem.

This fine artwork can be purchased with a Certificate of Authentication or via an NFT Smart Contract. For more information on NFT Utilities, click here.

Note:
They do not include shipping costs, but they do offer free delivery of artwork to residents of Pretoria and Johannesburg.