Afrikan Heart, europäische Welt…

My Life began in the constellation of an African Village and my Childhood was

rich & blessed with so many amazing Souls.

Maths & Eureka 1976, South Africa Maths was my best friend, my Guardian Angel and what I believe, my "earth" grandfather... There was a special bond between all of us. Maths was a very unique member of our family. My dedication to his memory, has revealed a great truth to me about the way most people take food-growers for granted(!) and thereore ourselves.  We are nothing without the sacred Souls who nurture and grow our food. This Conscious Thought, has awakened much of the depth behind my Art Peaces.   I would not be who I am had he not been a part of my evolvement.
We had the best grandparents we could ever have wished for! My grandparents are one of the biggest treasures of my childhood memories... My grandmother was a gentle but strong Soul, who always had three or four dogs lying near her feet. An incredibly strong woman in her youth, she had lost her life's passion when she had had to retire. She was a wonderful grandmother, and I shall never forget her warm, soft body that would always hold me when I needed her. Our grandfather was one of my heroes. He was a community leader and a Father-Figure to many Souls who needed him. His innitiative started the first newspaper in Halfway House/Midrand. He was a gentle, strong, loving and passionate Soul. He had an amazing discipline, which he tried to teach us. Our Grandfather had a philosophy - "...don't waste film! Each photo you take, should be good enough for the mantelpiece!" He taught us about the value of things, and genuine sustainability. The thing I remember and treasure most about him, was his positive attitude & his deep respect for Nature and God. I would not be who I am had they not been a part of my evolvement.
My Mother taught me part of my "Mensch". She has taught me how to communicate with people, and most of all, how to love them.... The women in my family have been known to do unconventional things...In the 80s, when a lot of companies were closing down due to workforce boycots, my uncle's business would also have collapsed had my mother not gotten her Code10 driver's license to help deliver gas cylinders to their clients. I would not be who I am had she not been a part of my evolvement. My Father was like an encyclopedia! He made me aware of the art world with his passion of books, history, politics, art & rare rugs/carpets. His unexpected death was a new chapter in my life... I would not be who I am had he not been a part of my evolvement.
One of the oldest friends my grandparents had, was a woman by the name of Charlotte Heinemann. She was like an additional grandmother to me. It was due to her, that I one day realized, that I too, wanted to do art… Regretfully, I never told her this, before she passed to peace. The painting Charlotte is dedicated to her. I would not be who I am had she not been a part of my evolvement.
Oonagh, (you pronounce it Una), is another remarkable Soul who has graced my Life‘s Path. A nurse & a humanitarian, with much courage, compassion & calm, she has always been an inspiration & rolemodel. I would not be who I am had she not been a part of my evolvement.
Like with all families, there came a time when our family had real problems...very painful problems. This Soul, by the name of WIllie Skome, was the light at the end of the tunnel for my mom and I! I call her my Afrikan Mamma. She has an emotional intelligence which surpasses most therapists I have ever met, including those with university educations! Unfortunately with me going walkabout and her moving around in South Africa, we have lost contact, but it is one of my biggest wishes to be able to introduce our children to her one day... I would not be who I am had she not been a part of my evolvement.
When my parents got divorced, another exceptional Soul entered our lives... As I leaned over his shoulder and watched his pencil move across the paper, Heinz awakened in me a deep wish to be able to draw! Heinz was also the first person to give me a camera! I was 9 years young. He was a retired graphic designer. His love of nature and the holidays we would spend in the bush with him, was another strong influence on my life's perceptions... He was a beautiful Soul who knew exactly how to encourage us to start something new. I would not be who I am had he not been a part of my evolvement.
To view this movie and digital exhibition, please use the following link: t.me/AfrikanHeart
Best friend, partner in another-crazy-idea, supporter, co-creator, challenger, teacher, student, muse, ecotect, managerial wizard, cradle-to-cradle thinker, husband, friend and foe… I would not be who I am or am becoming, if he had not been a part of my Life.