Unusual inspirations

J. H. Donker, South Africa-based artist, who recently held a solo exhibition in Uptown Mirdif, Dubai.

Inspiration can come from the most unlikely sources such as an old shoe in the gutter and this can be developed into a beautiful subject for a painting, a song or a poem.

Art is a way of expressing your inner feelings and showing the observer how you see the world.

Your role as an artist is to express through your talent what others might also feel or see or like to say, and so becoming an extension of the other person's being.

I consider myself a free spirit and believe that I live in a state of mind which enables me (as an artist) to observe a world that others don't see.

I get inspiration from the most unlikely sources such as an old shoe in the gutter ...

Interpretation of art
The artist gives his perspective on an aspect of life which may be understood or identified with by an observer.

This can be anything, beautiful buildings, music, dance ... and poetry. What makes art precious is its interpretation. It is only precious if the observer walks away having understood the message.

If you happen to live in an artistic environment, then automatically you learn to interpret art. Others have to be told, given an explanation and taught to understand it.

There is very little in this world that is not already done or invented by Mother Nature. Be it form, colour or light, I cannot think of anything that is not already there. So yes, our greatest source of inspiration is nature itself, consciously or unconsciously.

For me artworks produced in bulk do not quite reflect art. I know various "painters" who paint day in and day out with the same size of canvas, same sort of picture, same colours, and sell the pieces to wholesalers. To me this is not art but decoration.

However, Mass art as in art for the masses in expressing the feelings of oppression and suffering of the people, like Picasso's La Guernica, after the slaughter at that place during the Spanish Civil War, comes in a different league as it is done for a purpose.

Diego Rivera's panels depicting the Mexican people revolting against the ruling upper class is another example which takes art to a different level yet maintains a character. With his paintings he expressed the feelings of the oppressed masses.

My life and art
I was born in 1945 into a family of seven children. I was raised in an upper-middle class family in the Hague, The Netherlands. I studied civil engineering at the Higher Technical School, Netherlands followed by practical courses in building.

I had worked for a contracting company in the Netherlands, then moved to South Africa with my family (my wife, our son and two daughters - all in their thirties now) in 1984.

I have always had a passion for art and what initially started as a hobby has now developed into something I spend a lot of time doing. I paint most evenings and spend a lot of time in my studio.

Initially painters like Picasso, Derain and Gris were a big influence on my work. But later, most of the expressionists of the early 20th century and, more recently, people like Hundertwasser, Rivera Diego and his wife Frida Kahlo have inspired me.

A lot of what I paint is influenced by feeling at a particular moment. I can have happy and "off" days, which is clearly visible in my choice of colours and the subject matter.

My style
I would like to describe my style as a mix of cubism and expressionism. Lately, I have started experimenting with mixed media, such as fillers, oils and glass-paints. In the past I have worked with clay, stone and concrete.

At times I like to draw with pen and ink. In my immediate vicinity, I organise a regular get-together with a group of interested people and we experiment with various media, correcting and stimulating one another. This is great fun and binds people together.

Art is a great way to overcome social stereotypes and can break barriers.

Turning point in my life …
Starting my own contracting company in 1985 in South Africa, becoming my own boss, free of corporate hierarchy, gave me a chance to expand my horizons.

I was doing medium and large developments around Johannesburg and running my own business gave me an unbelievable feeling of freedom.

At the same time I had to be responsible for all my decisions, both big and small. I could think freely and do things for myself, things that I enjoyed truly like art.

Now I am a full-time artist and have retired to the countryside in Skeerpoort in the North West Province where my wife and I have guest cottages. The place is beautiful surrounded by lavender fields and mountains.

I am focusing more on my art and do some building projects which allow me to bring out the architect in me.

Best compliment I ever received
A painting I did was sold for almost double the price of what I had in mind, simply because the buyer (a collector) valued it so much, and walked away, thinking that he still had got a bargain. I consider this a big compliment for my work and the best appreciation I have ever received.

My first exhibition in Johannesburg, South Africa, was the most impressive as I was invited to exhibit alongside Mona Smit (a well-known South African artist). It was a privilege to show my works alongside hers and to be exposed to the creme de la creme of Jo'burg society.

Most challenging part
The most challenging part of my work is a big, white canvas; I have an idea but the first few lines will determine the development of the rest of the picture. Once they are put on the canvas, the design in my head starts to shape up.

I start painting and sometimes see that it's not up to the mark, hence I change the colour tones and shapes until I am satisfied with my work. What I enjoy most is the feeling that I have finished something that I am proud of.