MANDY COPPES-MARTIN: using alternative materials

ABOUT THE ARTIST
Coppes-Martin studied Photography at the Vaal Triangle Technikon and began a diploma in Fine Art in 1993 at the former Technikon Witwatersrand (now the University of Johannesburg). In 2004 she completed het Masters Degree in Fine Art (cum laude). The artist has been a programme manager for several initiatives linked to the Phumani Paper Project, (a poverty alleviation programme based at the University of Johannesburg), namely the UNESCO “Artists in Development Programme, The UJ Archival Paper and Collaborative Mill, the MAPPP Seta Learnership Programme as well as creative direction in paper and pulp for the commercial design market. In 2012 Coppes-Martin became a full time artist producing work in paper and silk. Her works “Trembling Giant” and “Virgin Pulp” were awarded the runner-up prize in the 2012 Sasol New Signatures competition. These 2 works are currently housed in the Sasol collection. She has exhibited in numerous group shows in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town, as well as in Belgium and the Philippines.

Sapped" 2014
Raw, dyed silk from the domesticated silk worm “Bombyx Mori” 116 x 56 cm (Unframed) 126 x 65.2 cm (Framed)

Images Sourced From:
http://lizamore.co.za

My Thoughts:
In my previous post, I mention the use of traditional skills, crafts and materials and here, in Mandy's works is a great example of that.
Mandy uses traditional natural fibres in her works, from raw silk to hemp.
Silk has been traditionally used to create exquisite fabrics sought after all over the world, but predominantly seen as a material to create a product.

Mandy, although creating traditional figure studies, but by adding the element of another traditional material (silk), the art work takes on a new innovative style. Traditional + Traditional= Innovation. Essentially she is drawing with raw silk, in many cases leaving a space between the silk and the surface creating further interest and depth in the shadows. The use of natural fibres also adds a warmth and softness that is difficult to recreate in synthetics. Raw silk also has the appearance of something very delicate and fragile while in actual fact being deceptively strong.
Over the years Mandy has developed her style and concept even further, moving beyond traditional figure studies to incorporate more abstract forms as well as new mediums.
Many artists are experimenting with resins, mostly synthetic resins, Mandy however rather uses the natural resin extracted from tree sap and by layering resin and raw silk on plexiglass creating translucent paintings that can be viewed from two sides
I find Mandy's art works exciting to view, weather viewing her silk drawings or her installations, she is constantly looking for ways to develop her style and ideas to keep them fresh.

Contact Information for Mandy Coppes-Martin:
https://www.mandycoppes-martin.com/
Mobile: 082 321 4705 (subject to South African codes)
Email: [email protected]
Studio Address: Assemblage: 131 Albert Street, Johannesburg.