I’m a practicing visual artist, lecturer, researcher, writer and content creator based in Johannesburg. I believe in life-long learning and the importance of visual communication in a world of complex signs. I've written articles on the Johannesburg Contemporary Art Foundation, The Upside Down Centre for the Arts, Circa/ Everard Read and Zeitz Mocaa. Aspects of my research focuses on literature/catalogues relating to key historical South African bienales and exhibitions.
My areas of interest lie in the ‘Convergences of human experience with digital interfaces’ and ‘Raw data as a transmutable art material within the human narrative’. The latter theme is pivotal to my latest exhibition, Afterisms: Excentric Data-fluid Narratives which explores the colonial archive, specifically the Indian Indenture ship list data (1860-1911). My supporting theoretical research forms my PhD thesis, A dialogical analysis of ‘Indian’ South African identity and representation in contemporary visual arts, expressed through data-fluid narratives. I am very interested in data, specifically human records, as this material has the potential to tell new and evocative stories about us.
The insurgence of AI (Artificial intelligence) into all aspects of human activity is a daunting yet intriguing contemplation for me as an artist. I apply practice-led methodologies and interdisciplinary research within my art making processes. I am fluent in both traditional and digital art making processes and enjoy fluidly combining analogue, new tech and AI. I’m very interested in creating an immersive sensory experience for audiences, that consists of light, tactile materials, projection mapping, sound and movement. My future work will speak to the dystopic and utopic intersections of human life, art, science and technology. I aim to create immersive sensory experiences for both my WHITE cube (gallery) and BLACK cube (online) audiences, that consists of projection mapping, light, sound and movement.
I have successfully taught art and design within the private higher education space for the last 16 years. Due to my long standing in this niche field I have developed new methodologies and pedagogies for tutoring adults academically and recreationally. I believe practical art-making skills are essential for human physical and mental dexterity. I run private sessions and workshops at my studio, Redbrick Artspace, most popular is the structured art projects for individuals with neurodivergent traits that hinder their learning.
I aspire to curate and platform emerging artists via the NPC: Becoming: Human Art Peripheral. This is an intellectual hub where visual artists, writers, musicians & creatives can connect. The website will act as a repository for articles, books, reviews, events, films and documentaries that relate to local art scene and historically marginalised artists.
Email: Lucellebernadette@gmail.com & redbrick.artspace@gmail.com
Website: https://www.lucellepillayart.co.za/
