NELLIEN BREWER

NELLIEN BREWER
TEXT WORKS

I am fascinated by complexity in nature. Life exists in contrast to the laws of physics, which hold that systems are inevitably broken down to a reduced complexity.
The theory of evolution contradicts the story of creation accepted by most religions, and this paradox has been my conceptual focus since 2007.

It is virtually impossible to find ‘the beginning’. Scientifically, the Big Bang was preceded by a singularity. This is the point at which all the laws of science break down. From a religious point of view, the Bible says that ‘In the beginning was the Word’. The notion that the ‘beginning’ was something abstract like a thought (or words) seems to be confirmed by the fact that algorithms can be used to ‘explain’ most systems or patterns in nature but cannot be written to describe abstract thought.

For me, ‘The Word’, therefore, became a metaphor for the intricate codes underlying every natural system, whilst at the same time exploring humankind’s questioning and search for answers. In my work, I juxtapose both Biblical and secular philosophical writings against the patterns and systems of the natural world. Digital drawing facilitates a level of detail impossible to achieve by hand, and evokes the (often invisible) intricacies of natural systems.

Website: www.art.co.za/nellienbrewer
email: nellien.brewer.art@gmail.com

Brewer Nellien. Crustose Lichen  (2012, 2015). This artwork contains various sections of Scripture. Digital print on archival medium.

Brewer Nellien. Crustose Lichen
(2012, 2015). This artwork contains various sections of Scripture. Digital print on archival medium.

 

Brewer Nellien.  Romans (2016-2017) This artwork shows lichen from the rocks at Kommetjie in South Africa. It contains the entire Book of Romans.

Brewer Nellien.
Romans (2016-2017)
This artwork shows lichen from the rocks at Kommetjie in South Africa. It contains the entire Book of Romans.

 

Brewer Nellien .Nest – Muckleneuk (2017)  This artwork contains Deuteronomy 1-7. (Detail)

Brewer Nellien .Nest – Muckleneuk (2017)
This artwork contains Deuteronomy 1-7. (Detail)

 

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