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Hilary Grant-Currie - My Heritage

Hilary Grant-Currie - My Heritage

Date: 2015-10-16
The dictionary defines heritage as,

A richness of the past, in a country,

A character acquired by being born into a particular situation,

Something that gets passed on from one generation to another.

Taking inspiration from her environment, the artist's work investigates the relationship between the artist, and her surroundings, capturing her dependence on, and love for nature, especially the rocks, trees and aloes found in her immediate surroundings. Drawing with self-produced charcoal, the collected burnt matter is no longer a static element just observed, but an active co-participant. Each producing it's own individual characteristic marks, making the art not only an expression of the artist's inner landscape but also a physical expression of her outer landscape.

The artist views her surroundings and the natural elements in them, as part of her heritage, passed on from one generation to the next. Acting as a reminder of her past and a physical representation of her present, these artworks transform her surroundings into objects of treasure. Treasure filled with history, echoing her respect and love for that which she embraces as her heritage. They define who she is.

Rocks are symbols of strength, support and solidity, dating back to prehistoric times. They are majestic, sculptural, structural, varying in texture and composition. Rocks continuously evolve, as they crack, break, fall off, roll away, rise up, drop. as the earth moves and heaves, even if only minusculey.. They are monuments.

In this land of extremes, the aloe clings tenaciously onto the sides of mountains, in the most barren soil. Autumn lights her flames of colour over the rocky landscape. The slow burning light of their flowers, their sensuous shapes and powerful spears of colour, guide one from one rocky outcrop to the next.

The magnificent aloes of this country are intricately woven into the tapestry of the artist's heritage.

"If I had an alter ego, it would be a tree, more specifically a baobab' says the artist. These majestic, giants, which can date back to 1000 years ago, are humbling reminders of times gone by, vibrating with life's energy. Their size contrasts with their very delicate and transient flowers. They are sensual, mythical, mystical beings, landmarks, providing food and shelter to many creatures. They stand as living monuments.

Rocks, aloes trees.A natural heritage for us all.