Black Swan min

My paintings are expressive, figurative works that explore themes of memory, resilience, and the emotional weight of migration. These figures often share the same space but remain emotionally distant, reflecting a sense of disconnection that mirrors both personal and collective histories.
I see each figure as a vessel for memory and experience, each one carrying its own emotional presence while contributing to a larger atmosphere of tension, stillness, and endurance. My work is rooted in my South African experience, shaped by Johannesburg and places like Katlehong and the North West Province. Through painting, I try to create a space where personal and historical experience are acknowledged but not resolved.
During my residency at Narina Lodge, I was surrounded by a natural environment. Being in such a space made me reflect on how people come to places like this to create new memories and connect with something beyond their daily lives. Watching visitors experience the landscape reminded me of the importance of memory and how it shapes who we are. This experience influenced my painting by deepening my interest in how memory and place are connected. It helped me think more clearly about the figures I paint—how they carry personal and shared histories, and how they exist between the past and the present.