Galia Gluckman settles in the Mother City

Artist uses recyclable materials

After living and working in New York for the last decade, talented eco-artist Galia Gluckman has returned to South Africa and now calls Cape Town home. Her vibrant pieces are made using recycled materials which she uses to create unique conceptual structures. We asked her about her return to the country and what impact it has had on her art.

Why did you decide to return to South Africa?
We returned to South Africa as my Capetonian husband Gary never ‘got over it’. He had been in New York for 16 years and always jokes that during those years he has been planning his return.

Has living in New York influenced your art?
Yes, but I would say that growing up in Durban has influenced it more: the colours, the sunsets and the people. The influence on my work from my time in New York would come from the city’s incredible architecture.

What is your favourite thing about Cape Town?
Family, as well as the drive and view from Hout Bay to Camps Bay. The mountains and ocean and the bending road does it for me! My favourite place is the top of Table Mountain.

Has moving back to South Africa influenced your subject matter or the materials you use at all?
Yes, since the move back my work has become more abstract and less representational. I am manipulating the paper more and working more texture into the artwork. I have been very interested in abstract dimension and perspective.  

Your new collection is entitled “Emerging”; can you elaborate on the meaning of this?
The move back to South Africa, after so many years away, was really difficult but it has also been well worth it. Any move is challenging, but I always knew that Cape Town would be worth the initial struggle of leaving my life there....and it is!"Emerging" since I have emerged brighter and better as a person from this move back home. "Emerging" into living the best life I can, "emerging" into becoming everything I should be.

What do you think of the art scene in Cape Town?
Cape Town is such a creative hub in South Africa.  The exhibitions have been of such a high standard. There is a lot going on all the time.  I feel so privileged to call Cape Town home and be part of the Cape Town art scene.

Where can you view and buy your work in Cape Town?
My work can be viewed from my studio in Constantia or on my website: www.galiagluckman.com

By Lindsay Callaghan

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