Artist Marlene Holder has created unique and fascinating woodwork art at her home in Westdene.
Holder explained that the inspiration behind her works of art come from her own life. “My involvement with woodwork art started when I got sick, about nine years ago,” Holder said. “They couldn’t tell me what was wrong with me and in 2005 I was diagnosed with a rare lung disease called Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis. From there I just decided I am going to start looking after my own health.”
Since then, Holder has been actively seeking creative ways of keeping busy. “I started jogging. And as I jogged I noticed pieces of wood around my environment. I would look at these pieces and see the potential of creating pieces. I build upon the existing piece of wood and create what I feel like,” she said.
Holder explained that her art has allowed her to vent cooped up feelings. “For me it was either get up and do something constructive or lie down and die. I know that it is difficult to make a mark in the local art scene. But I thought to myself I should try it,” she said.
Since then Holder has created works ranging from abstract forms of expression to famous faces like Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. She has been displaying her work to a shop in Brightwater Commons.
Her mother Katie Harmse was also very impressed with the created artworks. “I think it is fantastic what Marlene has been able to with these pieces of wood. She is very talented and I believe she can take her work further to a larger crowd,” she said.
Details: Marlene Holder 081 890 7951.
