CRITICAL FRAMEWORK RESEARCH TASK: Identities of Creativity Considering the reading of Taylor and Littleton, I think that as an emerging artist, my unique perspective on nest-making—primarily through the lens of the sociable weaver birds—offers an authentic way to connect with the public. This work brings together themes of community, resilience, and personal history, inviting viewers […]
I want to focus on promotional material and my strategies for documentation, audience, and feedback. I will share photographs and a video of the opening event as well. I used social media, namely WhatsApp, to send out save-the-date notes and formal invitations. I wanted the nest to be the main focus but did not want […]
THE PUBLIC ENCOUNTER WITH WORK I presented the wire work as an installation called Hotel Kalahari 2024 to keep it focussed on the themes around the nest and where my story originates, personally and physically. Having had an academic speaker who researches the sociable weaver bird gave the work a contextual background about these nests […]
After I shared the save the date and the formal invitation, I realised that the number of visitors for the opening night could be quite substantial. I want to encourage people to visit, stay and spend time, so I considered a picnic after the formalities and gallery walk. I have also considered having a work […]
My major project for my BA Hon in Fine Art is an exhibition in the heart of Langvlei Farm, Riebeek West, South Africa. This exhibition showcases wire nest sculptures that weave together community, care, and resilience themes. Kalahari Hotel 2024 draws inspiration from the massive communal nests of sociable weaver birds. Each wire creation explores […]
From reading Gilda Williams, I understand the difference between an artist statement and a practice statement, as the artist statement tends to focus on a specific body of work, project, or exhibition, and the practice statement focuses on your entire body of work, its evolution, and its theoretical underpinnings (e.g., I would consider the ideas […]
For Immediate Release “Kalahari Hotel 2024” — An Exhibition as part of a major project for a BA Honours in Fine Art, by Karen Stander Dates: 25 October 2024 to 29 October 2024 Opening Reception: 25 October 2024 at 18:30 Venue: Langvlei Farm. Station Road, Riebeek West. Experience a Unique Artistic Journey Inspired by Sociable […]
I found the following comments about an artist statement valuable: “An artist statement is a not-too-long series of sentences that describe what you make and why you make it. It’s a stand-in for you, the artist, talking to someone about your work in a way that adds to their experience of viewing that work.” (Sarah […]
The nests of sociable weavers have struck me as a symbol of how we navigate our connections—with others and the world around us. These birds build together, weaving layer upon layer, creating a home that houses hundreds of lives. Creating a nest is deeply tied to my experiences as a mother after losing our youngest […]
Project 2: Artist Platforms, Promotion and Documentation Consider bodies of work that your project aspires towards and look specifically at how these have been shown and presented. Make notes about strategies you wish to borrow or use in relation to your identified reference points. Select images of 2-3 example projects and upload these to your learning log with contextual information […]