KIRSTEN BEETS
December Days, 2020 | Turning Tide, 2020
Oil and pencil on paper
640 x 835 mm Framed
“'It's Always Summer Somewhere' is special because it was the starting point for this exhibition. The colours in it really inspired the palette of the smaller works and the general soft, peaceful, and carefree nature of the piece is something that I tried to convey throughout the show.”
- Kirsten Beets
KIRSTEN BEETS
Breathe, 2020 | Stripes, 2020 | Luna, 2020 | In Good Company, 2020
Oil on board
325 x 325 mm Framed
KIRSTEN BEETS
Bouquet. 2020 | Hey Hey It's Okay. 2020
Oil on linen | Oil on board
1055 x 1325 mm Framed | 325 x 325 mm Frarned
“I felt like we missed out on part of summer in 2020. While we were all confined the seasons changed and when lockdown was over it was autumn. Perhaps there's a metaphor in that about losing our free-wheeling summer ways and sobering up for a harder season. I wanted to make a show looking back on those summer times with affection and the knowledge of how precious they actually were.”
- Kirsten Beets
Gallery installation view
“'I think the initial idea is spontaneous. For instance 'Best in Show' just came from an idea about cat shows and wouldn't it be fun if someone entered a really exotic breed, like a jaguar. Would they win? So it was just a funny, spontaneous thought that I wanted to portray. Then I had to plan the piece pretty meticulously. What colour would best suit the background? Pink would be nice with the orangey, yellow coat o f the jaguar. What kind of pink? I went with a darker pink because it was a little edgier than a soft, sweet pink. Echoing the danger inherent in the big cat but also still safe and fun. The choices are a bit endless and a lot of thought goes into each piece.”
- Kirsten Beets
“Some titles are born with the artwork and some go through a process o f discovery. Usually for the hard ones to title it's there as a feeling and I have to translate that into language. I take a deep dive into myths, history, poetry or old stories to find inspiration if I'm really stuck.”
- Kirsten Beets
KIRSTEN BEETS
Last Swim of Summer, 2020 | Pinks and Peaches, 2020 | Domestic Bliss. 2020 | Antique Land, 2020
Oil on board
325 x 325 mm Framed
Kirsten Beets' studio in Cape Town.
