Ajouté le 3 juil. 2017
She describes herself as an ‘organised artist’, a term that seems almost paradoxical considering her entirely unfettered abstract style. Her work does not conform to a specific look or feel; and can leap from light and ethereal to deep, heavy strokes that command the eye. Yet there is a sense of control and a determined focus, and I understand what she means. Her name is Rina and her work is sought-after by both local and global collectors – from sophisticated socialites to high-end commanding corporates.
In one piece, deep shades of midnight blue melt into hues of crimson and wine, while bright yellow hovers in the background. In another, swirls of tranquil blue linger languidly on the canvas, shifting softly upwards like exquisite puffs of smoke. Other commissions feature more structure and form, playing off the architecture of their surroundings and the mood of the space.
As a youngster growing up in the Free State town of Kroonstad, Rina says she had always had the urge to create – whether it was a simple drawing in her colouring-in book or, later on, clothing, candles and expressing herself through make-up. However, she never delved into painting, and her passion was to lie dormant for a good many years. After studying, Rina became an accountant – a life many consider to be the antithesis of an artist’s creativity and freedom. “I was deeply frustrated. I worked for 25 years in the corporate world as an accountant, and there was very little time to satisfy the need to be creative. Eventually, at the age of 45 (yes I know, the famous midlife crisis!), I realised that I could no longer suppress the urge to create. I started attending art classes and was so excited each day that I couldn’t sleep. A whole new world opened up for me,” she explains.
An important element of a good artwork for Rina is its ability to transform and evoke emotion; to grab the viewer's attention and appear different with every movement of light. “A client of mine once described a piece I did for him as ‘changing its appearance as the sun turned or when, in the evening, the lights were turned on’ and this struck me as profoundly true of what I wanted to achieve with my work.”
Since most of Rina’s work is done by commission, she does not follow a particular theme or inspiration. Rather, she says, she finds inspiration at every turn in life, although admitting that as an avid snorkeller, she is often amazed at nature’s variety. “Snorkelling is like discovering a whole new world. The movement of the water and the rays of the sun reflecting on the seabed give me such a thrill. The patterns and colours of the fish and coral inspire me to experiment with new colours and textures,” she explains.
With her creativity directed by her clients, I ask if working on commissions ever gets frustrating. “Definitely not! I paint to create art that inspires, that adds warmth to an environment and generates joy and positive energy. People and their surroundings inspire me; they get the creative juices flowing. I love commissions because they give art a space.” It’s also exciting for her to work with her clients and for them to participate in the creative process, since the end goal is, ultimately, to create something that will be as personal for them as it is for her. This philosophy also translates into the company, Ritzi,of which Rina is the founder. Ritzi, also provides a platform for other artists who share her collaborative creative vision.
Excitement is a key element in Rina’s day-to-day life, and she admits she is a bit of an adrenalin junkie. Zip lining, quad biking, skydiving… not even the sky is the limit for this adventurous artist. She reveals that her husband is a great source of strength and support. “If I had to be locked in a room with any one person for an entire day there is only one person I would choose: my husband, Philip. We've been married for 35 years and over the years he has been the one who believed in me, who encouraged me to follow my dreams and who supported me in everything I did,” she says lovingly.
She is also in love with her country, especially the Cape, and says she could never imagine leaving it. “To be South African means sunshine, biltong and braaivleis, Table Mountain, challenges and forgiveness. I love the diversity of our people, cultures and natural beauty. When friends of mine emigrated to New Zealand, I sat at the Baxter theatre listening to the District 6 musical and felt so sad to think that they would not feel or hear the heartbeat of Africa again soon.”
Rina’s art is an expression of feeling that channels its surroundings to blend and complement, and evoke emotion without being overpowering. With a profound understanding of creating art for modern spaces, it’s no wonder Rina has the reputation for creating some of the best modern abstract art in South Africa.
For more information, visit www.ritzi.co.za, email rina@ritzi.co.za or call 082 441 3718.