90 x 120 cm 3D pen (Filament) on Canvas R16000 This is an original piece I created of a butterfly waiting for its wings to dry after emerging from a cocoon. Did you know that in order to become a butterfly, a caterpillar essentially melts inside its cocoon? In this process, called imaginal discs, the caterpillar breaks down entirely, revealing the blueprint for the butterfly it was always meant to become. When it finally emerges, its wings are still heavy with remnants of its former self, and it must wait patiently for them to dry before it can take flight. When we experience a breakthrough—whether mental, emotional, or spiritual—it can be deeply frustrating when the world around us doesn’t immediately align with our newfound clarity or growth. But just like the butterfly must wait for its wings to dry from the weight of its past, so too must we allow time for our transformation to fully settle before we can soar. in retrospect, the use of a 3D pen in this piece is fitting as it t allowed me to gradually and physically build the fragile layers of transformation. Each line and texture mirrors the process of emergence, creating a tactile representation of the patience and vulnerability required in order to reach eventual freedom. Patience, it seems, is part of the magic.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DEXJ25AK-nk/?img_index=1SOLD 85 x 58cm 3D Pen Available at Candice Berman Gallery Don’t allow others to vandalize your character. Set heathy boundaries. Make conscience choices of who you will allow to write on your walls. in 2022, I created an artwork to act as a reminder to ensure that the writing on your 'character wall' has been placed there by you, and not by someone else. While some teachings you sub-consciencely take in may be positive, others may not be. I decided to remake this piece using a 3D pen because I believe it helps to amplify the message. The 3D medium adds a tactile dimension, emphasizing the entanglement of thoughts, emotions and experiences. They are your walls. Take ownership of that pen.
60 x 80 cm 3D Pen Filament Available at Candice Berman Gallery Remember a moment in time when you felt completed weighted down by the world and it felt as though your life's journey would always be an exhausting one? And then do you remember when that heaviness suddenly lifted, and instead of feeling like you had to make the entire journey by foot, you began feeling as though you were being carried - carried away from what no longer serves you, and carried towards your higher purpose? The figure (inspired by an 2022 work of mine), clings to the vibrant balloons, each one representing a small victory, a spark of hope, or a moment of clarity. The weight is gone, and the only way is up. We tend to go through many of these ebbs and flows in life. This work is here to serve as a reminder, that with persistence and good intentions, life will make a way of baring some of the load for you, lifting you off your feet, helping you glide towards your destiny. If you find yourself making the journey by foot at the moment... your balloons are coming. Don't give up.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DD_qAA1I7Da/SOLD Acrylic and decoupage on Canvas Available at the Candice Berman Gallery In 2023, I decided to use a smaller canvas as a painting palette instead of a regular wooden one. By the end of 2023, the canvas bared zero resemblance to its original state that it had months before. She was now caked in blotches of paint and she was evident to have been apart of many painting experiences, some of which proved fruitful, and some that were duds. At the beginning of 2024, I took that canvas and every now and again, I would place an image on her, or I'd doodle a design while contemplating an idea I have. And so, by the end of 2024, she is now more than just a small painting. She is a captain's log that I intentionally created to document the past two years. (They have been quite chaotic incase it's not obvious enough by the image).
SOLD 55 x 55cm Mixed Media on Canvas (Epoxy Glaze Finish) R8000 Sometimes it's the quietest moments in which you learn the loudest lessons. I have been learning to quieten my mind and to look and listen out for signs and messages delivered to me from a higher plane. The messages are hard to make out most of the time, but simply knowing their presence is around, watching and protecting me, often feels as good as a clear message. (For closeups of this work, please visit my Instagram page @m.shap.art)
80 x 80 cm Wire Mesh and Mixed Media on Canvas (3 Dimensional design) R16000 2024 seemed to yank many heads out of the sand - myself included. Many finally experienced the thinning of the veil and saw global and personal circumstances for what they truly are. Instead of only seeing things that serve personal bias, views were shifted so as to experience and witness what is inevitably the truth. This realization, while occasionally burdensome and often exhausting, has been a profound experience. I know I am not alone in this. I can sense people's spirits coming together to unify in the name of the truth, and help restore humility back into humanity, "The Collective Awakening", explores this experience for me. Through meditation and observation, I can feel that I am not alone. None of us are. The round canvas, reminiscent of a bubble, symbolizes the encompassing and protective nature of an awakening. The abstract butterfly wings merging into one another evoke the fluidity and interconnectedness of individual spiritual journeys, much like bubbles that collide, merge, and grow larger. This visual metaphor illustrates how personal transformations contribute to a broader, collective shift in consciousness. The discomfort is just truth coming to light... Trust it.
Expandable foam and Acrylic with epoxy finish 30 X 50 cm R6500 My eldest daughter has ADHD. One of the symptoms she experiences is restlessness with her hands. One day, while feeling frustrated and fidgety, she sat on my studio floor and began picking at paint that had dried previously on my painting mats. She loved doing it as she found it very satisfying and soothing to her ADHD symptoms. This became a new hobby of hers. We decided to collect all the various peels she manages to pull off of bottles and the studio floor and I now use them in many of my paintings. My daughter is a major fan of dragons, and so we decided that the "D" in ÄDHD", stands for "Dragon". When her ADHD symptoms flare up, I remind her to "train her dragon". Often, in order to do this, she will escape to my studio to peel paint. This painting serves as a reminder to keep ourselves accountable and find healthy ways of turning bad habits into good ones. Doing so, often leads to art. (For closeup images please visit my Instagram page - @m.shap.art)
SOLD 1.1m x 1.3 (Unframed) Mixed Media on Canvas R20,000 (Available at the Candice Berman Gallery) If there is one thing I have learnt, it's that personal growth is never a linear process, in fact, it is sure to take you through heaps and hurdles that sometimes feel too powerful to contain. But destruction and pain have powerful ways of unearthing true beauty, making allowances for fresh beginnings and new roots. This is more than a painting for me, it is a representation of the moment I realized that something was unearthing in me. In 2024, I decided to try painting in a meditative state which would allow my inner child/subconscious to take control of the process. The result is a beautiful creation describing the chaos and freedoms that emerges when one has rooted themselves firmly in who they are. It is a reminder that in order to keep growing higher, one needs to ensure they are rooted and grounded in their true self. (For closeup images please visit my Instagram page - @m.shap.art)
85cm x 100cm Acrylic on Canvas R11,800 (including framing) This painting put me through a rigorous process of understanding what it was that I was going through on an emotional level: In 2024, I decided to try painting in a semi-meditative state and I managed to do it with this piece for the first month of working on it: At first, the entire canvas was covered in intricate, colourful designs and drawings. But it didn't feel right, and so, while in a meditative state, I began placing white pathways between the designs, not focusing on what shapes were forming while creating them. In between painting sessions, I would cover the work I had done, so that I didn't allow conscious brain to scrutinize or analyze the shapes prematurely. The process put me into a deep focus where I transported myself to various experiences in my past. Because I was surrendering to the process and not allowing my conscious mind to be overly influential, I began contemplating that perhaps this piece is representative of the Hypnagogic state, (which is the process in which a person begins to surrender to sleep and enters a dream-like state). When I felt it was time to look at the rough placement of the white pathways, I stood back and began to make out shapes that symbolized various aspects of my current life. The shapes moved me, because in spite of being a very visual person, I struggle to visualize clearly when I meditate with my eyes close; my meditations are generally black, with gentle lights forming abstract figures and shapes that my brain interprets as specific messages. The images created in between the white pathways mirrors these experiences for me. It was like my conscious was bringing my meditations into three dimensional form. It was then that I realized that this was not about the hypnogogic state at all, but rather, was closer to the idea of the hypnopompic state which is the moment your brain begins to wake up from sleep. I was at the beginning of a spiritual awakening and my unconscious was communicating this with me, guiding me through this realization. The events that occurred post completing this piece, proved just how blissfully unaware I was for the emotional, volcanic rupture that would occur in the months to follow. I am grateful to this painting, because it helped to gently ease me into a situation that I believe may have been far more confusing and tumultuous if I didn't have the pre-warning. (For closeups of this work please visit my Instagram page @m.shap.art)
https://www.instagram.com/p/C5ffuBbIG6L/?img_index=2Available in limited print Mixed media Take the time to listen to your head and heart: When we find ourselves unable to shake off persisting thoughts and feelings (both good and bad), so often it turns outs to be our inner child tapping at the window, asking us to put the time aside to explore something unresolved. Find the time to explore those thoughts and feelings, and in doing so, you may just watch yourself emerge and blossom. This piece is an ode to my “sense through scribbles” series
https://www.instagram.com/p/Chg5eIBovAz/120 x 80cm Mixed Media Ever wish you could go back to when things were simpler- when you weren’t expected to have it all together? That is a perfectly normal wish. But remember to appreciate where you are in life at this present moment; failing to do so may result in similar regrets a few years from now when you look back on your age that you are at this very moment.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CiGMkPfrlDR/Available in limited print Ever wish you could go back to when things were simpler- when you weren’t expected to have it all together? That is a perfectly normal wish. But remember to appreciate where you are in life at this present moment; failing to do so may result in similar regrets a few years from now when you look back on your age that you were at this very moment
https://www.instagram.com/p/Chms2VZo1RS/138 x 108cm Mixed Media Comes framed (with glass) So many of us have chosen to hide past traumas and pain behind a metaphorical curtain. While doing this may feel like self-protection… it’s not sustainable and at some point, the contents behind that curtain will start to reveal itself. While the notion may seem painful and scary, consider ripping the curtain back to reveal it all, face it all… feel it all… because once you feel it… you can start to heal it. You’re worth the hard work.
138 x 132cm Mixed Media Comes framed (with glass) My latest series is dedicated to embracing every part of yourself, including events one may purposefully try forget: make room for the good parts as well as the events in your life you deem less desirable. Instead of trying to hide the flaws and traumas, why not embrace them so that they can be utilized in a positive way. If you allow it, what you normally deem a weakness, can become your greatest strength.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cizs3wqjoAZ/70 x 80cm Mixed Media Comes Framed Cancel Culture is a pretentious form of bullying and those who use its tactics, are not doing it in the name of justice - they are doing it because they yearn control. Cancel culture demands conformity instead of mutual respect. It stems from a limiting belief than in order to matter, you have to be perfect
130 x 150cm (Sold) Mixed Media I’m so happy that I received a request to recreate one of my 2021 pieces. This is honestly one of my favourite pieces to date. The meaning of this piece will always be significant to me: . The chaos of everyday life often spoils one’s concentration, resulting in moments lost forever. . And as the day comes to an end, you may be left with the burden of unattended memories that took place your while presence was there, but your head was somewhere else. Please follow the link to see closeups of this piece
https://www.instagram.com/p/CeitfDnoPBU/The chaos of everyday life often spoils one’s concentration, resulting in moments lost forever. . And as the day comes to an end, you may be left with the burden of unattended memories that took place your while presence was there, but your head was somewhere else.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CdQHAd7OJkt/C o p y P a s t e (vol V) 90 x 120 Mixed Media (limited prints Available Family trauma often get passed down in families, resulting in generational trauma. This is often the result of few taking the plunge to deal with, and heal, the pain that gets passed down. Our children watch us and mimic us- the good and the bad. What we don’t heal, they will have to deal with one way or another. The problems you choose to ignore, recycles itself and your child/ren become the vessel to carry your unresolved burdens. Once you become conscience of this, make the decision on what do you want your child/ren to witness. What behaviours would you be happy and unhappy they mimic? Break the chain. see link for closeups
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg9tEAOjPgo/This piece embodies something I feel very passionate about: anyone with kids has a responsibility to heal their own past traumas and issues. So many of us go through life ignoring our demons; ignoring the deep pain and sadness that we may have experienced earlier on in our lifetimes. But here’s the problem: unresolved issues recycles itself… and our kids become the vessel to carry that burden. . How often do we see patterns in family trauma. That’s because no one in that family is choosing to deal with their pain. Our kids watch us. They mimic us- the good and the bad. What we don’t deal with, they will have to one way or another. . Once you become conscience of this, make the decision on what do you want your child/ren to witness. What behaviors would be happy and unhappy they mimic. . Break the chain. Check out the instagram Link for close up of this works Texture
https://www.instagram.com/p/CdqkbBTIuk4/120cm Mixed Media This piece embodies something I feel very passionate about: anyone with kids has a responsibility to heal their own past traumas and issues. So many of us go through life ignoring our demons; ignoring the deep pain and sadness that we may have experienced earlier on in our lifetimes. But here’s the problem: unresolved issues recycles itself… and our kids become the vessel to carry that burden. . How often do we see patterns in family trauma. That’s because no one in that family is choosing to deal with their pain. Our kids watch us. They mimic us- the good and the bad. What we don’t deal with, they will have to one way or another. . Once you become conscience of this, make the decision on what do you want your child/ren to witness. What behaviors would be happy and unhappy they mimic. . Break the chain.
F A K E N E W S 100 x 100cm Mixed media . Swipe across for closeups . Imagine a world where you didn’t have to worry if what was being reported was true or not. Imagine a society that placed their views firmly on facts and not according to outlets that simply supports their own bias. A world where rumors were immediately disregarded and people showed an obsession with truth telling. . If only that was our world. Sadly, our fragile society becomes more and more brittle with each report. People’s opinions become fact, and we find ourselves at war with one another fighting over what is true and what is not. So often an agenda seems to take precedent over honesty and so many feel justified in their course of action: their “greater good” becomes society’s greatest downfall. See the Instagram Link for closeups of the beautiful Texture
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd23OZ9ueel/120 x 120cm Mixed Media Imagine a world where you didn’t have to worry if what was being reported was true or not. Imagine a society that placed their views firmly on facts and not according to outlets that simply supports their own bias. A world where rumors were immediately disregarded and people showed an obsession with truth telling. . If only that was our world. Sadly, our fragile society becomes more and more brittle with each report. People’s opinions become fact, and we find ourselves at war with one another fighting over what is true and what is not. So often an agenda seems to take precedent over honesty and so many feel justified in their course of action: their “greater good” becomes society’s greatest downfall. See Instagram link for closeups of this piece
https://www.instagram.com/p/CdDbV22oiy3/This piece was inspired while watching my two young kids playing: I found myself feeling totally envious of the bubble of obliviousness they live in. At their ages of 4 and 6, they have no concept of bills that need paying, deadlines that need to be met, political unrest in the country, price hikes cause my wars etc. Their job, right now, is to be a kid. There was once a time, many years ago, when no one expected anything of me other than to be a kid. Watching them, I felt myself wishing I could go back to that time in my life - even for just a day- because I would relish that freedom and give it the gratitude it deserves. “Youth is wasted on the young”, I thought. . But while painting this piece, my thoughts evolved: I seemed to think that the saying of “the youth is wasted on the young” no longer applies to me… but it does: While I do have far more responsibilities and stresses than I did when I was my children’s ages, there will be a time when I’m 80 or 90 years old (Please Gd) and I will look back on life in my 30s when I didn’t need to take a cocktail of tablets just to get my organs to function; That time in my life where I didn’t wake up to a million different aches and pains; Back in my 30s when no one questioned if I was fit to drive etc or if it was safe for me to practice basic independence. . This made me realize how important it is to take the time to appreciate the things that you will most likely lose as you get older. Show gratitude now, so you have fewer regrets as you get older. See Instagram link for Closeups
https://www.instagram.com/p/CcipzDkKm75/85 x 120cm Mixed Media (available in print) “They will not write on my walls”……..Our character has been influenced by the people in our lives and the situations we have experienced; while some of those influences are positive, others may very well be toxic. Don’t allow others to write on the wall of your character unless it serves your higher good. Don’t allow others to vandalise your character. Set healthy boundaries. Make conscious decisions of who you permit to write on you
110 x 60 cm Mixed media - Available Comes framed in a wedged Kiaat frame How often have you caught yourself reacting to something you credit your reaction to you upbringing/ surroundings you’ve found yourself in as you’ve navigated through life? While some teachings you sub-consciencely take in may be positive, others may be negative. Don’t allow others to write on the walls of your personality unless it serves your higher good. Don’t allow others to vandalize your character. Set heathy boundaries. Make conscience choices of who you will allow to write on your walls.
100 x 110cm Mixed media Ever stop to wonder where some of your thoughts, beliefs and practices originates from? Do you genuinely believe everything you think, say and do? Or is there the possibility that someone has done or said something, so often, that you find yourself taking on THEIR thought patterns and habits? . Often someone else’s fears becomes our own; Someone else’s opinion of another individual rubs off on us; we may perceive a situation a certain way because someone else has convinced us to see it the way they do. This is transference. . It’s interesting to take stock of our feelings, thoughts and fears and tap in to where they originate from. Often, without even realizing it, transference has taken place and if you dig deep, you may be open to thinking or approaching a particular matter in a different way once you are conscious of the fact that your feelings are, in fact, not you’re own. See instagram post for closeups of this piece and its texture
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbxd3ClqyjP/90 x 70cm Mixed Media We have all experienced being triggered. . Each of us have had different life experiences; both good and bad. Triggers often play a key role in the way we respond to the life around us. I am a firm believer that when we find ourselves triggered by a situation, it is our inner child reacting to something that remains unhealed. What triggers me may not trigger you- that is because we have experienced life differently. . One may argue that not every trigger is traced back to when you were a child: for example, you may find yourself triggered whenever you’re in the car because you experienced a car accident as an adult. What could that have to do with your inner child, right? But, you see, I believe that how we react to adversity and fear is often linked to how we managed (or didn’t manage) it as a child. And so while a horrible incident may have been experienced in your later years, the way you grew up and the way you were taught (or not taught) to manage your feelings plays a role in your reactions and actions as an adult. . So next time you find yourself triggered by someone, somewhere or something, try work backwards and tap into “little you”to see what still needs healing. . Respect and honor your triggers. They are your indication that something remains unhealed. This painting is here to act as your friendly reminder to heal because you deserve peace. See the Instagram link for closeups of this piece and its texture
https://www.instagram.com/p/CckDpU-oSix/45 X 65cm Mixed Media Have you ever paid attention to the way you speak to yourself, (out loud or in your head)? Are you a friend to yourself or an ever present bully? Please follow the Instagram link for closeups of this piece
https://www.instagram.com/p/CSYj4eODSQm/
