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Printmaker, painter and an artist by trade, René Alexis Pirie is a creative lady possessing endless imagination. Art has always been an essential part of her life.
It is her fascination with and love for art that led her to complete a Master’s degree in Fine Art at the Nelson Mandela University. Following this, she worked in the Faculty of Art and Design at the university over the course of four years, teaching Printmaking and Drawing.
True to her artistic nature, René enjoys the quiet of her town, Kariega. Surrounded by the beautiful purple haze of the jacaranda trees when in bloom, it is here in the stillness that she has learned to listen to her inner voice. And it is forever growing stronger and more varied as she articulates her values and shapes her experiences artistically through her profession: the creation of visual art.
It was during Covid that René realised that she wanted to do art full-time. “When Covid wormed its way into our lives, I became quite introspective.”
New beginnings
From the pandemic, in harmony with her steadfast belief in new beginnings, emerged an exciting venture and a startling voice worth listening to.
“I started my own online store, called My Home, by René Alexis.”
Simply seizing the moment, working hard on what she likes to do most and taking opportunities as they present themselves, are essential to René. Putting this perspective into practice most definitely brings her success and personal contentment.
“What I enjoy most about the creative process, is when the planning and gathering of resource materials is finished and I’m actually making the artwork.”
As her work comes to life, she articulates - in visual form - the multi-faceted aspects of her ideas and views and her creativity takes flight. It is in this moment of awakening that René finds her purpose. A variety of themes express the different parts of René’s personality and interests as a visual artist.
“My collection of works, called Internal Space, is surreal landscapes that reflect inner life, thoughts and feelings, as well as experiences that some may classify as spiritual.”
While creating this collection, she didn’t do any initial planning. “I allowed pure imagination to guide every element created.”
Feminine, Kids and Baby collections
Her collection, Feminine, is a series of oil paintings in which René aims to communicate a well-rounded representation of women.
“At the same time, I’m exploring colour and other elements in this series.”
Her works are like a kaleidoscope unfolding in layers of colours and ideas.
To extend the joy that René finds in the act of illustrating, she even created a Kids and Baby collection to brighten up children’s rooms.
“These artworks and prints are pure fun.”
René enjoys collaborating with creative people like herself.
I think Kariega has a lot of people with skill and potential. I’d love to see more people offer their skills to the community.”
René also expresses herself through music. As this is a medium with which she identifies closely, it comes as no surprise that she’s taught Art and Voice at CAMA, the Creative Arts and Music Academy, for two years. For her, singing is an inspirational tool fuelling her creative ventures, whereas making art focuses this fervour into a point of calm and melodious reflection. No wonder that she has named one of her works of art Shape Melody. A beautiful name encapsulating the roots of her inspiration.
“There’s always been a mutually beneficial relationship between these two interests and they’re deeply cherished aspects of my life.”
Unfortunately, owing to health issues, René had to limit her singing during the past two years. Nevertheless, in the same way as her voice resonates through her visual art which speaks of a journey towards renewed healing, her faith in the arrival of new seasons continues to bear fruit.
René has found her voice. And it resembles a continuous song of hope.
