B erenice Michelow’s work reflects the strident history of South Africa, a reality fraught with racial divides, struggles for freedom and an unwavering hope for the future. Each painting tells a story and explores another facet of the human condition including family, honor, war, and patriotism. Michelow’s paintings are charismatic and warm, drawing the viewer in to the scene with a warm palette, inviting imagery, and fascinating symbolism to explore. A characteristic element found in many of her paintings is lush, wafting lines that reach for the heavens, taking the form of golden fields of grass or abstracted line work.
She is an adept portrait artist as well, skillfully rendering beautiful shining faces that peer back at the audience with affectionate smiles. Michelow has had a long history in the arts, shaped and influenced by the events surrounding her life. Her formidable list of accomplishments includes being a guest artist at Johannesburg Municipal Art Gallery and Stellenbosh University, representing her nation at the Valparaiso Biennial in Chile, and being honored with a ten-year retrospective at the Rand Afrikaans University. A native of Johannesburg, South Africa, Michelow immigrated to the United States in the summer of 2004 to join her family. She has wasted no time in getting her work seen around the country, picking up representation in New York, and exploring art venues from coast to coast.
Website: http://michelow.com
BERENICE MICHELOW