After beginning her career with photography, Coetzee is fast gaining ever-greater foothold through her sculptures and public art.
The transition came by way of a desire to work with stone, a love of picking through building waste, words from her mentor, and a business course.
“Initially, I had to make a living. As a youngster, I had to make money, and as a photographer, I translated people’s stories visually,” she said.
“Before the economic recession, I felt that I had ‘hit the ceiling’ in terms of the medium, and I knew I wanted to work with stone. I had started working with mosaic some time before then.”
Coetzee found further focus through her mentor, photographer Roger Ballen.
“He told me that, as artists go through their careers, they need to stay focused on what they’re doing at that time,” she said.
“It doesn’t matter if there’s some confusion because, at one point, things will start making sense; it will all come together. In my case, it has taken a long time, but it’s getting there. I feel that everything I’ve done is beginning to culminate.”
Last year, Coetzee completed the Gordon Institute of Business Science’s Social Entrepreneurship Certificate Programme, which gave her a new perspective on her work, especially her art in public, social spaces where she has collaborated with members of local communities.
“I was happy to do the course, because I had no awareness of the impact of my work… It took me by surprise. My works have become more relevant to me, and with that came a greater sense of authenticity. I’d encourage all artists to learn how the world works from a business perspective,” she said.
The artist said she also received insight into the difference between exhibiting in galleries, and creating art ‘at street level’.
“In galleries, the works are removed from ‘everydayness’. Galleries are frowned upon because they’re perceived as inaccessible. Concepts are not really made available for people to think about if the works are only in galleries,” said Coetzee.
“The work you do must have a long-term investment in society; it’s not frivolous. Art needs to challenge the decisions we make.”
Coetzee leads walkabouts of her works in Braamfontein, Maboneng Precinct and Fordsburg by arrangement.
Details: www.hanneliecoetzee.com; hannelie@hanneliecoetzee.com
Video: Watch the video of Hannelie Coetzee working on Oupa Florie at the old Rissik Street Post Office below:
Read the first part of the interview by clicking here.
-
-
-
-
