Juanita Oosthuizen | Delicate Minimalism
“A chance encounter many years ago in the Tate Modern in London triggered my current choice of artistic medium. That day, I came across a tiny piece of artwork in a vast, empty hall with a tiny figure as the subject. It immediately appealed to my love of delicate minimalism.
Today, I am inspired to come up with creative ways to incorporate miniature figurines into works of art – placing them in a carefully planned scenario fashioned from board and paper. This is mounted in a box frame to create a 3D environment. I work mostly in black, white, and grey, sometimes introducing a smattering of color to create an element of surprise. When I compose a piece, I find myself instinctively drawn to depict something surreal, wistful, pensive, and sometimes playful. At times, I use old photographs as a backdrop to the figurines to create an element of nostalgia and tender memory.
Clients have also, on occasion, asked me to create a piece that depicts a fond memory from their own past.
Recently I have introduced paper weaving as another artistic medium. I enjoy the process of weaving and love the texture of the final image. The process is challenging not to disturb and distort the picture – but so that it is still recognizable. The new woven image is unique – “broken but healed.”
My work varies from playful to serious and emotional, with the subject matter telling a story through the body language or interaction of the figurines. I create a space for the spectator to make his or her own interpretation.
I find inspiration everywhere – in nature, daily life, city, and books on illustration, photography, and design.
I am blessed with an abundance of energy and an overactive imagination. Images constantly tumble into consciousness, and the days, weeks, and months often feel simply too short for all I still wish to accomplish.” – Juanita Oosthuizen
Juanita Oosthuizen was born in Calvinia and grew up in the Cape Platteland in South Africa. From an early age she experimented creatively with paper, cloth and plastic – questioning, directing, observing – never settling for that which she found aesthetically displeasing. In the 1990s she joined a corporate gifts company and was responsible for their packaging design. During this time, and after a visit to Europe, she discovered sheet polypropylene and used it successfully in packaging.
In 1998 she started her own company – Pepper Plum Designs – manufacturing and designing for the corporate and retail markets using mainly PVC and sheet polypropylene. Her designs included stationery and household items, and she regularly exhibited new designs and products with Design Indaba.
Since 2013 she has been working as a professional Artist under the name ‘J by Juanita’ based in Cape Town and creating minimalist works, capturing time and its experience.
www.jbyjuanita.com | Facebook: @JbyJuanita | Instagram: @jbyjuanita |
