Spotlight On: The ‘Mirror’ Exhibition in Cape Town

The ‘Mirror’ exhibition in Cape Town showcases the artist Adele van Heerden’s exploration of the relationship between water, light, and reflections in aquatic environments. Utilizing techniques like pastel, color pencil, ink, and gouache on film, as well as printmaking collaborations with Cape Town studios, Van Heerden offers a unique perspective on the hidden world beneath the water’s surface. The exhibition takes place at the 131 A Gallery in Woodstock, Cape Town, from February 3 to March 1, 2024, and provides an opportunity for art enthusiasts to delve into Van Heerden’s underwater exploration.

What is the ‘Mirror’ exhibition in Cape Town?

‘Mirror’ is an exhibition by artist Adele van Heerden, showcasing her exploration of the relationship between water, light, and reflections in aquatic environments. The exhibition features pastel, color pencil, ink, and gouache on film techniques, as well as printmaking collaborations with Cape Town studios. It takes place at 131 A Gallery in Woodstock, Cape Town, from February 3 to March 1, 2024, and offers a unique perspective on the hidden world beneath the water’s surface.

Situated in the vibrant artistic district of Woodstock, Cape Town, the acclaimed 131 A Gallery is known for its commitment to showcasing contemporary art. This gallery is ready for the unveiling of ‘Mirror,’ the latest artistic endeavor by the respected artist, Adele van Heerden. The exhibition starts on 3 February and will be available until 1 March 2024. The gallery opens its doors from 10am to 4pm on weekdays and 10am to 3pm on Saturdays, welcoming all art connoisseurs and individuals intrigued by creativity to delve into Van Heerden’s underwater exploration.

Van Heerden’s Artistic Evolution and Influence

Adele van Heerden has made a name for herself through detailed pastel, color pencil, ink, and gouache on film techniques. She set off on an artistic walkabout that began during her residency at the esteemed Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris. This artistic voyage resulted in ‘Mirror,’ an exhibition that beautifully portrays the delicate dance between water, light, and the reflective properties of water environments.

Van Heerden’s love for swimming is well-known. As a devoted swimmer, she forms a deep bond with the water environments she visits. During her Parisian excursion, she dove headfirst into her research, utilizing her physical self, sketchbook, and camera to analyze and interact with the city’s famous swimming pools. Her observations were the fuel for her artistic fire, adding to the captivating visuals of the ongoing A La Piscine project.

Homecoming: A Change in Perspective

Upon her return to Cape Town, Van Heerden redirected her focus to coastal shorelines and the Long Street Baths municipal swimming pool. This shift from the charming Parisian pools to the equally inspiring aquatic spaces of Cape Town broadened her viewpoint and added depth to the storyline of ‘Mirror.’

The exhibition’s name, ‘Mirror,’ aptly summarizes the core theme of Van Heerden’s work. It’s the concept of water acting as a physical mirror that reflects its environment. This mirror reveals the unseen world hiding beneath the water when it’s clear. It mirrors everything – the sky, the weather, the rocks, architectural structures. These reflections aren’t just physical; they also delve into the metaphorical realm, suggesting the idea of individuals mirroring each another. It explores the fascinating human act of observing and being observed.

New Directions and Collaborations

‘Mirror’ signifies a new chapter in Van Heerden’s artistic evolution. In partnership with Cape Town print studios, she has dabbled in printmaking, a move that adds another layer to her craft. She has crafted monotypes with Georgina Berens at Loft Editions and her first lithograph with Stephen Inggs at The Print Kitchen.

A subset of the exhibition, titled ‘Modulations,’ takes the onlooker on a visual voyage through the twists and abstractions within swimming pools. Van Heerden captures the detailed lines of tiles, lanes, and the inner architecture of pools, freezing them in time and encapsulating these spaces’ very essence.

Reflecting on Reflections

Bridging the divide between man-made and natural environments, design and art, and abstraction and figuration, Van Heerden’s work encourages viewers to reflect on the layers above and beneath the waterline. Her exceptional fusion of the physical and abstract provides an in-depth understanding and appreciation of the everyday water spaces that surround us.

In essence, ‘Mirror’ is more than an exhibition – it’s a thoughtful exploration of the duality of reflection, both in the physical realm of water spaces and the abstract world of human interactions. It’s an adventure worth taking, a testament to Adele van Heerden’s exceptional artistry and her unique perspective on the world we inhabit.

When and where is the ‘Mirror’ exhibition taking place?

The ‘Mirror’ exhibition by artist Adele van Heerden is taking place at the 131 A Gallery in Woodstock, Cape Town, from February 3 to March 1, 2024.

Who is Adele van Heerden?

Adele van Heerden is an artist known for her detailed pastel, color pencil, ink, and gouache on film techniques. She has explored the relationship between water, light, and reflections in aquatic environments and has made a name for herself through her unique perspective on the hidden world beneath the water’s surface.

What is the theme of the ‘Mirror’ exhibition?

The core theme of the ‘Mirror’ exhibition is the concept of water acting as a physical mirror that reflects its environment. Van Heerden explores the fascinating human act of observing and being observed, and the exhibition delves into both the physical and metaphorical realm of reflections.

What is included in the ‘Modulations’ subset of the exhibition?

The ‘Modulations’ subset of the exhibition takes the onlooker on a visual voyage through the twists and abstractions within swimming pools. Van Heerden captures the detailed lines of tiles, lanes, and the inner architecture of pools, freezing them in time and encapsulating these spaces’ very essence.

Has Adele van Heerden collaborated with any print studios for the exhibition?

Yes, Adele van Heerden has collaborated with Cape Town print studios for the exhibition. She has crafted monotypes with Georgina Berens at Loft Editions and her first lithograph with Stephen Inggs at The Print Kitchen.

What is the significance of the exhibition’s name, ‘Mirror’?

The exhibition’s name, ‘Mirror,’ aptly summarizes the core theme of Van Heerden’s work. It’s the concept of water acting as a physical mirror that reflects its environment, both in the physical realm of water spaces and the abstract world of human interactions.