Dirty Art, Messy Science and An Emotional Rollercoaster

Artist Natasja de Wet brings her recycled goods art exhibition to a pathology learning centre.

English novelist Edward Bulwer Lytton said “art and science have their meeting point in method”. Now artist Natasja de Wet and UCT are using that method to stir your emotions with some unique art.

The artist is collaborating with the university for an art exhibition showcasing her latest body of work, Melancholia, at the UCT Pathology Learning Centre from 9–30 March 2019.


DISCOVERING NATASJA DE WET
De Wet is a Cape Town-based artist who studied at the Tshwane University of Technology, UNISA and the UCT Michaelis School of Fine Art.

She uses mixed media, drawing and painting to create works that unravel internal human experiences such as growth, insecurity, sexuality, and the various expressions of the human psyche.

Her last body of work, Running Towards Yourself,  was exhibited at the Casa Labia Gallery in Cape Town. She has also been included in many exhibitions both locally and abroad, and her works are included in the collections of Sasol Gas.


UNCOVERING MELANCHOLIA
De Wet’s latest project showcases some of her most personal and emotive mixed-media pieces. It’s inspired by the inherent sadness in human character. De Wet used layered canvas and discarded materials including hair, dust, ash and broken feathers to explore both the fragility and generative possibilities of the human condition.

MIXING PATHOLOGY AND ART
By mixing her work with the pathology specimens in the background, de Wet wants to evoke a sense of what is residual and damaged – in the human body, soul, mind and spirit. Together, de Wet's three-dimensional assemblages and the space of the UCT Pathology Learning Centre question the nature of what it means to be human – to be vulnerable and broken but also resilient.


UNPACKING THE EXHIBITION PROGRAMME
Besides the exhibition, this three-week-long showing will also have opening day talks by Associate Professor of Painting at Michaelis School of Fine Art Virginia Mackenny and Dr Jane Yeats, Curator of the Pathology Learning Centre. There will also be a tour of the learning centre on 14 March to give attendees a detailed idea of what de Wet went through and how she formulated her thoughts when creating this body of work.

ENTERING THE EXHIBITION
Entry is free, but there is a limited amount of space so get there early to claim your spot. The first day of the exhibition will start at 11am. Thereafter museum hours will be 9am-5pm on Weekdays and 10am-12:30pm on Saturdays. Also note that the walkabout on 14 March starts at 6pm.

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If this art exhibition got you going, try out some of these Cape Town art galleries.

It’s the last of summer, so live it up with these awesome March Events.

Explore Cape Town art and culture by visiting these museums.

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