Antarctica 2007

December 2007 was the time we took to go to Antarctica.

Two years later I am still trying to process what I saw and felt on that continent and get it into some kind of workable art - and not succeeding too well. Lots of staring at the photographs I took and lots of sketches later, I am still no nearer to getting a piece that means anything.

Antarctica had a huge effect on me and I would go back tomorrow if I could.From what I understand from others who have been to Antarctica, it seems to have the same sort of effect on them. If nothing else, the place is so vast and so-o-o- quiet, that it cuts one down to size very smartly. Its incredibly beautiful, very scary, challenging and almost impossible to describe if you haven't been there.

Your perception changes, your ideas about light and colour change as do your ideas about who you are and where you fit in the scheme of things. I believe that every polititian - especially those with over inflated egos- should be forced to spend a couple of weeks in that environment.

Scale and distance are deceptive and you don't have the reference points you would have in other parts of the world. You are surrounded by the most incredible pristine white, deep blues and greens, turquoise and jade along with violets, purples and lavenders. Its another world- almost alien

While on board the ship, I learned a lot about Antartctic art which deserves considerable study- except that there isnt much information about it in South Africa. Alan Campbell of the U.S.A. , Jenni Mitchell of Australia,Sue Lovegrove from Australia,Scott Hanson fron U.S.A.are all artists who have benefitted from their country's "Art in Antarctica" projects. Unfortunately, South Africa does not have a similar program.