FOR Durban artist Lee Scott Hempson, winning the KZNSA Gallery’s Members Exhibition was not only a surprise, but also an affirmation of her artwork that was in a way a self-reflective offering.
This year members of the gallery were invited to engage under the theme of “Transformation, Incubation, Activation”. Artists were encouraged to reflect on the development and growth that the gallery is experiencing and submit works that speak to this.
Scott Hempson’s piece called Hand Held was very personal, as she explained: “Because the brief was essentially about the transformation of the organisation (the KZNSA Gallery), I looked at a quote by Marianne Williamson and that became my artist statement. It said: ‘Personal transformation can and does have global effects. As we go, so goes the world, for the world is us. The revolution that will save the world is ultimately a personal one’.
“I quite like the personal philosophy which stems from the philosophy of being the change that you want to see. Also, I feel like I need to go through a transformation at this stage of my life. In my thinking, planning, in terms of my career, my involvement with art, there’s a transformation that has to be made. So I liked the analogy that if I make changes within me, those small changes can ripple outwards,” she said.
Using superwood and shutter ply, she used four layers in the piece: “There is a shadow layer, and the word ‘urgency’ all over the one layer because of the need for transformation which needs to happen within myself. I’ve used a silhouette of myself for the figure. The thorns represent the things that we have to overcome, the things that hurt. What I like about the hand is you can’t quite read it. You don’t know if it is supporting the dove or holding it tight. So there’s a note of caution as well. As much as transformation needs to occur within yourself and the world, it is maybe also about how you go about doing it that is important.”
The KZNSA is a non-profit, member-based, public benefit organisation and every year members of the society are given the opportunity to submit artworks for the annual Members Exhibition.
The event brings together local amateur and professional talent working across a wide spectrum of mediums and disciplines. A floating trophy and prize money of R20 000 is donated to the KZNSA Members’ Exhibition by the Emanuel family, in memory of Durban painter and longstanding member of the KZNSA, Joan Emanuel. She was involved in the Durban art community for many years. She was a founder member of the North Coast Art Group who also took part in many KZNSA members’ exhibitions.
This year Scott Hempson won first prize with Lara Mellon taking second and Karen Bardtke scooping third. The merit award went to Michele Silk, with the most promising award going to Mthobisi Maphumulo.
KZNSA president Sheryl Msomi said the theme is one that is also transforming of the organisation: “We’d like to have different artists from different professional levels participating back at the gallery.”
• The KZNSA Members Exhibition wraps up on Sunday. For details on becomimg a member: www.kznsagallery.co.za.