Diane Victor is a artist known for her thought-provoking works. For over thirty years, she has created art that challenges viewers to think hard about social issues. Her art mirrors the struggles and inequalities present in South African society and beyond.
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Diane’s journey as an artist is fascinating. She has received international recognition for her ability to evolve and look into new ideas. Her works critique the world around us. With a touch of dark humour and references to various cultures, including African traditions and Renaissance history.
What sets Diane apart is her use of unusual materials. She creates her art using charcoal, soot, and candle smoke. Growing up in Witbank, a mining town filled with coal dust, these materials are reminiscent to her past. The darkness of her chosen mediums symbolizes the fragility of life and memory. Her artworks often appear to be fading, reminding us of how quickly things can change or be forgotten.
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One of the main themes in Diane’s current exhibition, “Les Métamorphoses,” is therianthropy, the idea of humans transforming into animals. She studies this concept both physically and psychologically, questioning what it means to be human. The figures in her art represent instincts, power, and rebellion, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek and Egyptian stories where humans took on animal forms to signify change.
