South Africa (and Africa as a whole) is home to some incredible creatives, innovative designers and artists who share their unique viewpoints and mediums with the world. This month, we sat down and spoke to Laurinda Belcher, who works primarily with paint to chat about her work and future plans.
According to her official site, her practice is inspired by the playful nature of her inner child and explores the ways in which early childhood experiences shapes an adult understanding of the world.
You’ve got a background in education and have worked as a Montessori teacher, childhood/colour/form is a major theme in your work. How did your journey into making art begin?
Since childhood my favourite toys were my colouring pencils and picture books, but it would only years later that I picked up a paintbrush. Working in the early childhood environment and facilitating creative projects with the little ones, connected me to my roots again and with parts of my own childhood and that urge to create on a primal level with the tools at my disposal which in kindergarten is mostly crayons, powder paint and brushes.
Painting to me now feels very much like drawing – it mimics the same action as when we learn to write, a basic but important fine motor skill to develop.
After returning to South Africa, I worked in a gallery and talking with other artists daily made me feel that I could pursue my practise and see where painting and sharing could lead me.
Who or what has been inspiring you lately?
Colour. Specifically greens and pinks, I’m inspired by the narrative quality they hold and the history of these colours and how they have changed and will change but also how we live with colour.The significance on a cultural and subconscious personal level. I think a lot about our fundamental human needs like having a home or shelter - which colours we invite and omit into our space and lives and the connection or meaning they hold for us.
You’ve exhibited at several local and international galleries, what has been the most memorable for you?
Exhibiting some drawings in my first group show in Hanoi 10 years ago and selling my first artwork, and then years later with Salon 91. I used to walk by that gallery when I first started painting imagining what it must be like to work and build a relationship with a gallery who supports their artists, so showing work and feeling included was quite literally a daydream coming true.
How can people view your work and support you? I have an Instagram account
I have an Instagram account @laurindabelcher with a link to subscribe to and receive updates of new work releases and exhibitions. I release work once or twice a year.
Finally, what projects or exhibitions do you have in the pipeline?
I’m releasing some new smaller works in April via my presale catalogue which gives people the chance to reserve work as soon as they become available. I am also working towards showing and exhibiting a larger body of work later this year.
