An overseas artist recently shared her love for South Africa and how it’s become the subtle muse behind her paintings set to inspire dreams.
Frankfurt, Germany (10 July, 2023) — Most artists have a muse of some kind. People, places, experiences—the point of a muse is for it to be imagined and then reimagined, sometimes over and over again. One overseas artist’s muse happens to be something close to home for South Africans. In fact, it IS home.
For Germany-based artist Rosanna Burford, South Africa plays a special role in her creative process. As an artist who dedicates her work to a unique theme like dreams coming true and paradise imagined, this subtle muse-ship is something of an open love letter.
“My love for South Africa plays a special part in the work I make. I have been mesmerized b the unimaginable beauty of the landscape, the kindness of its people and the complexity of the cultures and issues. It is only a tiny corner of this world and yet I feel like I could spend a whole lifetime painting about it. My work isn’t mainly about SA but it does play an important part,” shares Burford.
Photo Credit: Rosanna Burford
Photo Credit: Rosanna Burford
Burford who found her love of painting in England, believes that art can help people change their lives.
“To change your life, change your images. Those in your mind and your surroundings,” she shares.
Her paintings are all about evoking wonder and inspiration through creating snapshots of dream-like experiences. Many of her subjects are emotions personified.
Now, we know what the cynics are thinking. Why South Africa? Well, perhaps the better question is why not South Africa?
We’re a country where dreams are still possible. Where potential is still untapped, where the spark is still alive no matter how many times loadshedding attempts to snub it.
The overseas artist’s love for our country got us thinking. What if we could all see South Africa’s potential as something canvas worthy? What if every day, we all splashed our own ‘paint’ in the form of active citizenship and community kindness to make a beautiful picture of the South Africa that could be? Wouldn’t that just be the most beautiful, tangible art.
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