About

Meet Riette Van Rensburg

About

Riette is an artist based in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Born into a family of creatives, childhood holidays and free time were often spent around a dining table filled with art materials. Under the guidance of her mother and two aunts who are practicing artists and art tutors, and her grandmother who was an author and illustrator, a spirit of play and experimentation in making process was cultivated. On her father’s side her grandmother was a dress maker and instilled a love for creating with fabric, thread and wool. 

“It is the comfort of these activities – the familiar smells, the endless possibilities and silence found in the creative process, that has kept drawing me back to art throughout my life.”

In 2024, after completing her Master’s degree in Fine Art with distinction, her work took a new direction. Through the rich experience of her studies, her art practice gradually began to revolve around the ideas and concerns that she cares about most. These include the emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being of her fellow humans and the reciprocal health of our environment.

The values driving her practice are deeply rooted in the interconnectedness of all life systems and the importance of Care towards self and others. Her work has an interest in cultural evolution and the effects of Postmodern society on our wellbeing and sense of connection to self, others, nature, meaningful work and spirituality.
 During her studies, a material investigation involving the use of only naturally foraged soils, rocks, and botanical elements to process earth and lake pigments as well as wild clay has resulted in an intimate knowledge of her materials.

This sensory rich experience with her materials, sparked an investigation into neuroscience findings in the fields of Sensory Integration Theory, Polyvagal Theory, Somatic therapies and MBSR. As a result, her art started to engage in discourse relating to mental- and ‘environ-mental’ health. Foundational to the work is an emphasis on process and the therapeutic value of sensorimotor methods of making.

This dance between soil and soul during her studies, created a significant metaphor and a turning point in her approach to art making. Today her art and workshops are a continuation of the quest to find equanimity, wellbeing and safety in the inner landscape for both herself and others.

The Latin words for ‘soil/earth’  and ‘human’, share the same root word: ‘humanus’ (from which the word ‘humble’ also derives). ‘Humanus’ is a blend of the Latin words ‘homo’ (man) and ‘humus’ (soil/earth/ground). Additionally, in the Hebrew Bible, the name ‘Adam’ is derived from the word ‘adamah’, meaning ‘soil’ or ‘earth’ in Hebrew, and when used as a noun, means ‘man’ or ‘humanity’. Revealing another beautiful and significant connection.

“Whether through my personal art-works, through writing or workshops, I aspire to share my discoveries with others, in the hope that it will foster connection, provide relief or simply suggest a shared language for the experience of life – beyond words.”

 
 
 

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