Nellien Brewer: 2 Chronicles 15:3 (2015)

Nellien Brewer: 2 Chronicles 15:3 (2015): Inner cities fascinate me – the socio-economic make-up; the different cycles of decay and regeneration that keep repeating over and o...

2 Chronicles 15:3 (2015)

Inner cities fascinate me – the socio-economic make-up; the different cycles of decay and regeneration that keep repeating over and over. Wealth is found adjacent to abject poverty. Slum buildings rub shoulders with ultra-modern or beautifully restored architectural gems. At the same time, inner cities are hostile environments which often isolate people from families, wholesome values and nature. This hopelessness and despair is expressed in various ways – crime, violence, neglect, vandalism and graffiti – the expressive art of the streets. 

This image was created for the Altered Realities exhibition at the Pretoria Art Association. It shows existing graffiti photographed on a wall in Durban. Various foliose and crustose lichens are growing over the image. The lichen consists entirely of Scripture and partly obscure the graffiti. The image is a comment on society and the reality of its rejection of traditional values, while the lichen, in overcoming harsh reality through complex resilience, becomes a symbol of regeneration and hope.

Digital photographic print, digital print on Perspex, framed, 900 x 600mm

2 Chronicles 15:3 (detail)

Lichen in oil on digital print

Lichen #1 (2013)                  Lichen #2 (2013)

Lichen continues to fascinate me, and I love exploring ways to represent these exquisitely intricate little organisms. These two images show foliose lichens painted in oil on digital prints of text lichen.

The digital image was created in Photoshop and shows organic lichen 'growing' over a background of lacy text. The background was created in Old Testament Scripture (Psalms), while the lichen images are New Testament (Gospels). Conceptually this symbolises the modern church where non-traditional, organic forms of worship and gatherings co-exist with the formal traditional churches.

Nellien Brewer: Lichen

Nellien Brewer: Lichen: I am fascinated by lichen. I have been photographing it for years in various locations – from the deserts of Namibia to the a...

Lichen

I am fascinated by lichen. I have been photographing it for years in various locations – from the deserts of Namibia to the architectural masterpieces of Europe. Lichen occurs all over the world and in areas where nothing else will grow, yet many people are completely unaware of the existence of these visually exquisite, complex little organisms which are not plants but consist of two and sometimes three different organisms (a fungus plus a photosynthesizing alga and/ or bacterium).  Many urban spaces are devoid of vegetation, but lichen can be found growing on the walls or paving. For me lichen is not only a symbol of resilience and regeneration but also a silent witness that covers history while watching it being made.

Once I became aware of the complexity and beauty of the little organisms, I started doing art about them - experimenting with sculpture and painting. However, as in the case of the fig leaf, it seemed that nothing I did adequately conveyed the complexity. It called for a unique interpretation, and once again text and magnification was the answer.

I have completed 4 lichens (1000mm x1000mm) which each contain an entire Gospel - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The completed work - A new religion - 4 Gospels - was selected for the 2014 Sasol New Signatures exhibition.

Ficus carica: Whose design is it anyway? (2013-2015)

We have a fig tree outside our kitchen. For years I have noticed the beauty of the leaves - especially when backlit by the sun. Over the years I have tried a number of techniques to ‘artistically interpret’ the leaves until I finally realised that the natural design was simply too strong and as such, perfect.

The vein pattern on the leaf has been interpreted in Biblical text which I use as a metaphor for the design code underlying all natural systems. The fig leaf contains four complete books of the Bible – Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon. The scale of the work and the laborious, time-consuming act of typing the text word by word means that I have worked on it for 2 years.

Sura 8:12

 

Sura 8:12 (2015)

The literal interpretation of the Quran by Isis and other terror groups such as Boko Haram, Al Qaeda and Al Shabaab has led to unspeakable atrocities, the destruction of ancient sites and the persecution of many.

This work was inspired by the beheading videos which too often adorn our screens and the heads are those of actual victims. The heads of such victims are usually displayed as trophies to be mocked and ridiculed, or even kicked around as soccer balls. The symbol shown in the work is the symbol painted on the homes of Christians during the destruction of the city of Mosul.

One feels helpless in the face of such horror. There is a need to speak out, to protest, to do SOMETHING – to not be found ‘fiddling whilst Rome burns’.

With this artwork I hope to give the victims dignity and prominence in a way which lauds their courage in the face of certain death.