ESCAPE, WITHOUT LEAVING HOME by Tiffany Onderstall

On exhibition from 3 October until 4 December 2024

ABOUT THE ARTIST

My name is Tiffany, and I am an artist living in Cape Town. When someone asks me to introduce myself briefly, I always say the following: Art is my mind's cup of coffee, as it gives me the energy to keep going. Music is my soul's glass of wine, as it helps me relax. Lastly, the mountain trails here in Cape Town are like my blueberries. They are divine to consume in abundance and still healthy.

I discovered my love for art when I was six and started attending the Nellie Brisley Art School in Bloemfontein. Fast forward to my time here in Cape Town where I had the honor to learn more from other artists. Tracy Payne taught me valuable lessons on oil painting, and Judy Woodborne opened the doors to Printmaking. Each chapter of my journey as an artist has inspired me to combine different techniques and try to develop my style as an artist. 

ESCAPE, WITHOUT LEAVING HOME

I feel that human beings are often more visual than we realize. Don't believe me? Think about that moment when the visual anatomy of a human face instantly catches our attention; How the colour of a garment completely changes our perception of it; Or when a stunning sunset makes you feel in awe of nature’s beauty. Experiences like these are part of why I believe art can be more than only a pretty picture. It can bring out emotions from within us when we find that artwork we connect with. 

"That artwork" could be related to a memory you want to relive, a dream you hope to fulfill one day, or simply a painting of a beautiful view you wish to have from your window.

Since I moved to Cape Town I have fallen in love with the mountains and Fynbos, and decided to explore painting landscapes for this exhibition. This collection, "Escape, Without Leaving Home",  consists of landscapes throughout SA and neighboring countries like Namibia, showing the exquisite beauty of our natural environment.

I hope one of these works will give you a moment of joy each time you look at it, just like it gave me joy when I created it.