Mixed-media artist Tamlin Blake meticulously collected objects that survived a devastating fire in 2020. Now, she is bringing them to light in an exhibition that reminds us that beauty still exists even after the chaos:
Bree Street, South Africa (19 March 2024) — For mixed-media artist Tamlin Blake, objects made with skill and intent have the power to transcend time and tragedy. This sentiment is a big part of what her latest exhibition, ‘After the Fire,’ reflects on and brings to vision.
Until 28 April, unsuspecting visitors of the Sisonke Gallery in Bree Street will be met with a display that to the uninformed eye, might appear to honour broken items.
But these fine China remnants aren’t just broken things. They’re survivors and reminders that we can take on new forms and be beautiful in new ways, even when it might not seem that way at first.
The creations on display are remnants of a big, devastating fire that decimated a portion of a home in the Winelands back in 2020.
It damaged a well-loved art collection, which personally touched Blake as many of the works had been created by artists’ friends or those she dearly admired. Despite many of the paintings being reduced to their frames and the only clue that they had ever been oil mediums evident in stains on the floor, Blake saw hope in fine china.
Dozens of fine China could be found among the debris, which Blake salvaged. In turn, she created new artworks from the shards; giving them new forms.
For the artist, they had now become more than objects, but symbols of resilience and appreciation.
‘After the Fire’ is an ode to these messages, as well as that of finding beauty and belonging again, even after the chaos.
Sources: Supplied
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