Marlene Steyn, a South African artist currently residing in Cape Town, has caught the attention of audiences with her unique artwork. With a background in fine arts and a master’s degree in painting from the prestigious Royal College of Art in London, Steyn has established herself as a talented and imaginative artist.
Steyn’s work has been described as “fantastic” due to her experimentation with colours and her ability to seamlessly combine beautiful and eerie imagery in dream-like landscapes. Her art is deeply influenced by psychoanalytic theory, and she incorporates elements from art history and popular culture to create uncanny motifs through repetition.
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One of the recurring themes in Steyn’s work in the depiction of the environment with a human face. Her paintings often feature animated landscapes with multiple chins, noses and knowing eyes. Smiling lips and undulating human bodies unfold and transform into something new, creating a sense of constant motion and fluidity.
An animistic approach is evident in Steyn’s artistic process, as she personifies objects that are often overlooked or relegated to mere background elements. Plants, rocks, rivers, textiles and even the weather and soil become imbued with life and personality. Through this lens of animism , the distinction between self and other is blurred, and the interconnectedness of all things is emphasized.
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Steyn’s work also explores the idea of fluidity. She challenges the notion of fixed meanings and embraces the ever-present fluxes in life. This fluidity extends to the embodiment of not just human bodies, but also animals, terrestrial entities, and mythical beings. Her art invites viewers to contemplate the interconnectedness of all living beings and the world around them.
Marlene Steyn’s artwork is a testament to her creativity, talent, and unique perspective. Her ability to blend fantasy and reality, while exploring themes of animism and fluidity, has made her a standout artist in the contemporary art scene.
