Leonora Wurz has firmly established herself in the
international art scene, with her work appearing in private collections in
South Africa, England, the United States and Europe. Her work is on permanent
exhibition in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Having formally trained
under 'purist' tutelage, Leonora has an appreciation of visual fine art and
has painted successfully in different styles. These vary from textured 'non
representational' abstract to super realism.
For the last two years Leonora has been working in the Iconic style, all her
paintings being on wood where she uses Acrylic paint with a shellac finish.
The texture of wood and the world of the Iconic style hold a strong
fascination for Leonora. In this style she can explore symbolism in form,
colour, composition, line and texture.
Raised in Southern Africa with its abundance of cultures, religions,
artefacts, fossils, indigenous flora, rock engravings/paintings, colours and
symbolism has influenced Leonora to project her observations into her work.
In particular, with her Icons Leonora strives to reveal the beauty and
symbolism of women, indigenous Southern African flowers and Southern African
Entoptic symbols. Examples of Entoptic symbols can be found on flat rock beds
in the Northern Cape and Southern Free State of South Africa. At the Riet
River, Douglas, Northern Cape site these rock engravings are submerged in the
rainy season. Archaeologists are still unsure of the age and origin of these
engravings, but have agreed that the local indigenous Bushmen did not make
these symbols.
The following artworks are a representation of the Artist's body of work. A wider
selection
is available for viewing at Afrikana Gallery in South Melbourne. |
