SCULPTURES
In 1999 Sheena began to work with ferro cement as a sculptural medium, and has become renowned for her large, slightly abstract style, shown in her concrete sculptures. The sculptures are often coloured with oxides and are finished in various textures. Sheena has a permanent exhibition of her sculptures in her garden viewed by appointment.
PASTELS
Sheena's chalk pastels are worked beyond the restrictions of the medium, often working with fixative to create an almost oil paint effect distinctive to her style. Movement is something she works well with, a mere suggestion of a line creating a flow or physical effort of the subject.
OILS
Sheena works in oils, which are impressionistic in style. She uses only the palette knife, concentrating on stances of the people and the wonderful light effects our weather and area treats us to. Her oil paintings of people are of movement and mood, often with a distorted or slightly askance aspect.
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| ABOUT SHEENA |
Sheena's paintings and pastels are
exhibited at her gallery studio, Oudebrug Gallery, Grabouw.
CONTACT Sheena at:
sheena@ridley.co.za
Tel: 021 8592595
Cell: 083 5892881
CONTACT Sheena at:
sheena@ridley.co.za
Tel: 021 8592595
Cell: 083 5892881
CAPE HOMEMAKERS EXPO CEMENTED AS FIRM FAVOURITE TO SHOWCASE CONCRETE SCULPTURES
Zimbabwean-born Sheena Ridley has established herself as a firm favourite with art enthusiasts thanks to her large, slightly abstract style concrete sculptures as well as her impressive portfolio of paintings and pastels. The talented artist’s work will be on display this year at the annual Cape Homemakers Expo, taking place at the CTICC from 28 to 31 August.
It was after she completed high school in Johannesburg that she first moved to the Mother City to study at the prestigious Michaelis School of Fine Art at the University of Cape Town. Her first career breakthrough was as a scenic painter for CAPAB (now Artscape), and for the last sixteen years she has been living in the farming areas of the Overberg, calling Grabouw home for now.
Sheena began working with cement as a sculptural medium in 1999. “I wanted to make huge sculptures without having to fire them. Initially I worked with clay, but then discovered that cement was a far more ideal medium.”
Her sculptures are often coloured with oxides and finished in various textures. “I started experimenting with cement flooring, and this taught me a lot about the technical aspects of working with concrete. I love the fact that it’s quite flexible – that different combinations of sand and cement give you a variety of textures.”On what inspires her, Sheena’s response is simply, “I’m inspired by the way people move and stand – their body language. Although my sculptures don’t have strong facial features, the emotional aspects can be seen through the way their bodies are portrayed.”
Situated on a farm in the Elgin Valley, Sheena’s sculpture garden has attracted hundreds of visitors over the last few years. Spreading from her lovely garden into a wild grass field, her modernistic figures display clever use of light and shade, inferred movement and often a touch of delightful humour.
Sheena is also well-known for her paintings and pastels which can be viewed at the Oudebrug Gallery. Sheena’s work will be on display at the Cape Homemakers Expo, which takes place this week (from 28 to 31 August 2008) at the CTICC. The Expo will showcase the latest trends, ranging from basic home improvement to innovative décor ideas for the home and garden.
The Cape HOMEMAKERS Expo won the EXSA Award for Best Large Consumer Show in South Africa last year.
Sheena Ridley was born in Harare, Zimbabwe 1964.
On completion of high school in Johannesburg she moved to the Cape. Sheena studied at Michaelis School of Fine Art,
University of Cape Town, and then worked as a scenic painter for CAPAB (now Artscape).
For the last sixteen years she has lived in the farming areas of the Overberg.
Situated on a farm in the Elgin Valley, Grabouw, Sheena's sculpture garden has attracted hundreds of visitors during the last few years. Spreading from her colourful show garden into a wild grass field, her modernistic figures sculpted out of concrete display clever use of light and shade, inferred movement and often a touch of delicious humour.
" My initial feeling for sculpture in a garden setting came from seeing the sculptures in various exhibitions in and around Harare;the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, and Chapungu Sculpture Park.
My favorite sculpture is one of serpentine stone by Bernard Matemera, titled “Man Changing into Hippo” National Gallery Zimbabwe. It is a large piece –1.5m of very smooth serpentine with beautiful poise and has a humorous side too. "
The sculpture garden is open by appointment throughout the year, and may also be viewed during the Elgin Open Garden Show held annually during October-November see www.elginopengardens.co.za. Included in the sculpture garden is her gallery studio Oudebrug Gallery, where her paintings and pastels are available for viewing. There is a plant nursery on site too for the passionate gardener.
OTHER SCULPTURE GARDENS IN SOUTH AFRICA
The Owl House- Nieu-Bethesda
Jean Doyle – Wynberg Cape Town
Wildekrans Country House–Houw Hoek www.wildekrans.co.za
Maureen Quinn – Alexandria E.Cape
Kirstenbosch Gardens -Cape Town
Brenthurst Gardens -Johannesburg
Oliewenhuis Art Museum-Bloemfontein
Johannesburg Art Gallery
Sheena's 2007 exhibition incorporated the work of Milly Jones www.millyjones.co.zaThe next exhibition runs concurrent with Elgin Open Gardens. For information on Open Gardens and map see www.elginopengardens.co.za and other information about Grabouw www.elginvalley.co.za.
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