The exhibition, which is currently on at Parkwood’s Artspace Gallery, explores representations of water through oil paintings with images of waterlillies, lotuses and seascapes, and draws from both Eastern and Western perspectives.
“This exhibition is my interpretation and representation of water, and is symbolic of the creative unconscious, of chaos and of the ebb and flow of life that we are born into – the water of life,” said Woodborne. She added that the fluidity of water was also symbolic of the fluidity of time, birth, death and the “perpetual reincarnation of the human soul”.
The title of the exhibition refers to the Greek goddess Persephone, who was associated with water and whose tears could dissolve grief and bring about healing and rebirth.
Woodborne added that further inspiration for her water images was the result of a trip to China in 2010, where she discovered that the water lily, or lotus flower, is a sacred symbol associated with rebirth and “awakening”.
The artist also included seascapes inspired by her travels to Zanzibar and along the West coast of South Africa to Namibia, as well Cape Agulhas, where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet.
Commenting on her work, Woodborne added, “For me, these paintings represent a visual meditation, a restful moment of contemplation and tranquility.”
Persephone’s Tears, Water Element is at the Artspace Gallery, 142 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood, until 3 August.
Details: 011-880-8802; www.artspace-jhb.co.za
