Mariette/flowie van den Heever


Biography

Mariette was born in 1969 in Springs, Gauteng. She works under the name Flowie in a wide variety of mixed media, always observing and picking up interesting shapes, textures colours etc. her passion is earth, rocks, sand, bushman paintings, fossils, bones, animals, insects, plants etc. All of these being an expression of how she perceives life around her.

During her training as a clothing designer she ecquired knowledge of figure drawing, colour and textures. This ability proved to be of great ddvantage when she became aware of the intriguing expressions f the 'Xam people' (Bushman) in their Rock Art, while visiting sites known for this art form. Spiritual symbols in geometric forms which they used to communicate through in trance dancing, fascinated her and inspired her to use these symbols to create paintings with a strong modern feel but with a very ancient spiritual connotation. Her love for nature, people and experiences made her very creative and original.

She is also currently expressing herself in a surprising variety of styles, media and techniques depicting natural forms and concepts in an original and authentic manner. Her work mirror creation itself as she experiences it. It is therefore not an academic rendition of her subject, but a very natural product of her own perceptions and use of media. Her painting attempt to put into concrete form her own arresting and fleeting visions. As such the work expresses a profound sensuality which clearly speaks to the observer.