“My love of the tactile, behavioural elements of nature have played a significant role in influencing my subject matter. I like the idea of alchemy in paint.”
Claire Lichtenstein, born in 1984 in Somerset West, is a contemporary abstract South African painter, whose work reflects her profound engagement with the self, the natural world, and the creative process. In 2011, Lichtenstein first started studying painting, and made the decision in 2014 to commit fully to her artistic career.
In addition to her artistic pursuits, Lichtenstein cherishes the transformative journey of motherhood, which has brought its own set of challenges and joys. Balancing the roles of being a mother and an artist, she finds inspiration and fulfilment in both aspects of her life.
In 2023, Lichtenstein and her family embarked on a momentous move, relocating to Wilderness, where they now live in her grandparents' cherished old house, where the artist initially found refuge from childhood trauma. This transformative relocation has had a profound impact on her artistic practice, shaping her approach to painting in significant ways. The immersive experience of being surrounded by the familiar, held by nature's embrace, has provided a nurturing environment for her creative exploration, evident in her latest works.
Through her pieces, Lichtenstein explores the profound connection between nature, the human psyche, and the creative process, translated into the sensuous language of images. Her process is an intricate dance of shadows and light, employing vibrant hues and directional brushwork to construct luminous compositions. Each stroke and mark is an intentional decision, exploring the delicate balance between tension and harmony.
Lichtenstein draws inspiration from the richness of nature's colours and references the opulent imagery of the Old Masters. With these images and atmosphere in mind, Lichtenstein applies the paint with a formalist’s approach, creating works that exude sultriness, evocation, and romance, inviting viewers into a world where the sensuous and the psychological intertwine.
In her artistic exploration, Lichtenstein embraces the concept of the painting as a sanctuary – a safe space where she delves into her emotions, memories, and inner landscapes. Her childhood experiences and the profound connection she formed with nature during that time have shaped her understanding of the visceral language of the natural world, which she eloquently translates onto her canvases. The interplay of foreground and background, the excavation of hidden layers, and the sense of wandering and wonder are all threads woven into her art.
Lichtenstein's paintings embody dualities and ambiguity, capturing the contrast between light and dark, chaos and order, openness and closure. Through her work, she invites viewers to fully engage their senses—to explore the unseen and the visible. With a deep appreciation for the transformative quality of creativity, Lichtenstein's paintings serve as windows into her psyche and soul, providing avenues for herself and the viewer to connect with the inherent power and resonance of natural imagery, fostering contemplation, introspection, and a deeper understanding of the human experience.
