About The Artist
Artist Biography
Marlene (Marie-Helene) was born and raised in Johannesburg; from the young age of ten she received tuition from Nina Campbell-Quine (William Kentridge was a classmate). Her parents had no faith in the art education of the government schools. Her portfolio from Nina got her into “The Johannesburg College of Art” where history of art was an all new experience. Marlene graduated in 1976 from the Wits Technicon (WCATE) as a graphic designer. She was employed in the creative departments of various design and ad agencies, spanning a period of twelve years. Family life took up time: marriage, two daughters and a move to Benoni.
During 1994 Marlene started her full-time career as a visual artist, attending weekly workshops at the Wendy Cooke-Tonneson studio in Benoni where “we painted, mono-printed, drew our hearts out and had yearly exhibitions”. This being only the beginning of many wonderful years of involvement in art
Artist Statement
“I am an artist because, I love the ever changing nature of the creative process. Carefully decoding what is visually there, pinning it down and allowing freedom to flow beyond most rules! Perfection is boring and dull in my book, so being my own author allows me to become more hardcore and able to produce a less artificial result.
It is much more fun being true to myself, pushing boundaries and finding the hole in the fence. I could describe my work as “visceral and situationis, that is what I am about.”
Artist CV
Born in Johannesburg 1956.
1966-72 attended art classes at the Nina Campbell-Quine studio in Hyde Park
1976 graduated from the Wits Technicon (WCATE) (3 year diploma in graphic design)
1977-93 worked in the commercial art and design field
1989 group exhibition at The Market Theatre Upstairs gallery (Johannesburg)
Worked in various ad agencies and design studios in Johannesburg; over a 10 year period.
1994 started painting on a full-time basis from my studio in Benoni.
Exhibitions and events:
2012 – Art Residency at “Citè Internationale des Arts”
2011 – Rotary art festival – Hyde Park
2011 – Print Exhibition – Sharon Sampson studio
2011 – Group show Paintings - GIBS
2011 – Members show at SANAVA (50x50)
2011 – “nude” group show - St Lorient
2011 – Joined the “studio” figures & form art working group
2010 – Exhibition of drawings “Art-icle” - Parkwood
2010 – Top 35 - Thami Mnyele award
2010 – 30/30 SAG - Springs
2009 – 2 month art residency - Paris
2008 – Top 100 - Ekurhuleni fine arts award
2008 – “arty party” Cocoa Bean Center - Benoni
2008 – “figures” - Norscot Manor
2007 – “Contemporary Visions of Southern African Art” PAM
2007 – Top 100 - Ekurhuleni fine arts award
2007 – “Ekurhuleni Mayoral Award” - Achievements in fine arts
2007 – Saint Sebastian, SANAVA, Pretoria
2007 – SANAVA members exhibition
2006 – Charity auction - Braamfontein National School of Arts
2006 – Vaal University of Technology, Ekurhuleni campus
2006 – Charity auction – CATS, Pretoria
2006 – Citè Interntionale des Arts - Paris residency and exhibition
2006 – Top 100, Ekurhuleni fine arts award
2006 – “Positive”, Sun City – Tsopologo aids hospice
2006 – Group show, The Centurion Gallery
2006 – SANAVA - Members show
2005 – Group exhibition “The Studio” - Parktown North
2004 –Group show at Bentley’s - Pretoria
2004 – Solo exhibition “fragments & elements”, SANAVA
2004 – art & ceramics - the cottage, Northcliff
2004 – top 100 Ekurhuleni fine arts award
2004 – “figures” SANAVA, North gallery
2003 – 5 month residency and group show “Cite”, Paris
2002 – “a body of work”, Millennium Gallery, Brooklyn
2002 – “entrée des artists” Bamboo
2002 – Wendy Cooke-Tonneson Studio, Rynfield
2002 – Studio group, Rynfield Office Park, Benoni
2001 – “art worx” in aid DITORRO, Sandton
1998 – “forum de la creation” Alliance Francaise – Parkview
1998 – Wendy Cooke-Tonneson Studio, Rynfield
1997 – WCT Studio, Rynfield
1996 – WCT Studio, Rynfield
Workshops:
Drawing – Carl Jeppe (2003 - )
Painting – Andre Naude
Mono-printing – Artists Press
Mono-printing – Collin Cole
Etching – Sharon Sampson Studio
Drawing – Academie Grande Chaumiere – Paris
Drawing – The Bag Factory – Dianna Hyslop
Painting – ”The Studio” figures & form group in Parkhurst (2011- )
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