Artists We Love: Neeske Alexander

INTERVIEWED BY Michaela Stehr

Local Cape Town-based artist Neeske Alexander chats to us about the concept of style, inspirations and her new exhibition “One Day At A Time” at Spin Street Gallery.

Tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m Neeske Alexander, a Cape Town-based artist, originally from the Garden Route, working from my little home-studio. I first studied and worked as a learning support and primary school teacher before doing a master’s in art education and finally an honours in illustration. I studied at Stellenbosch University (where I lecture part-time) and continue to learn from my long-term mentor, Ian Tainton (painter|printmaker). I love experimenting, collaborating and generally just doing new things. 

What inspires your works?

I paint what I like – this includes oceans, mountains, public spaces, feminism and storytelling. I’m easily entertained and I’m fascinated by most things around me. I create for the sheer joy and magic of making marks on paper. I’m inspired by what I experience in my day to day life. What is the concept behind your new exhibition? Creating an artwork every day of 2020 started off as a kind of personal structure, challenge and a way to become a ‘real artist’, some elusive point at which you can tell people that you’re an artist when they ask what you do. With each passing month a story of success, failure and new ideas unfolded. I hope this exhibition makes you whip out your own sketchbook. Draw often. Take risks. Just have fun with it. 

What is the process behind creating one of your works?

An idea either grows or suddenly comes to me and then I just execute it. Each medium requires a different process. Whenever possible, I work from life which means I’m often standing in random places, sketching, or eating the bananas in my still life.  

Do you stick to one particular medium?

Certainly not. I do as many different ones as I can, which is why I have a strict budget when it comes to art supplies. 

Where do you see your work heading in the future?

I want to go big. I’ll probably continue with landscapes and peoplescapes with strong narrative elements. 

Who are some local artists that you admire?

I admire all people who have chosen to become artists, but the ones that come to mind now are: Kirsten Sims, Octavia Roodt, Anton Kannemeyer and Natasha Norman. 

How would you describe your style?

I don’t worry about ‘style’ too much, because it can become restrictive. My style is therefore quite unstable, but has also been described as loose, poetic and whimsical.  

How can people get hold of your art?

Come to my exhibition at 6 Spin Street, Cape Town from 1-12 June! Alternatively, my work can be seen online at www.neeske.com, or on Instagram at @neeskealexander and @neeskeprints. Feel free to DM me or email me at neeskealexander@gmail.com for questions, commissions and workshops.