Artists We Love: Renée Rossouw

WORDS Michaela Stehr

Pattern creator Renée Rossouw talks to us about her latest range.

How did you start making pattern art?

It began in 2010 when I studied in Madrid. I was doing a series of abstract drawings from photos I’d taken in Durban and Johannesburg on an architectural tour when I was surprised to realise I was drawing patterns. I have since developed different methods to build pattern compositions.

What is the inspiration behind PacBoy?

PacBoy came about because I was asked to be feature designer for 100 % Design South Africa 2015. I was already sitting on some ideas for a range that used a lot of stripes, black and white, and was quite sporty and fun. Sometimes I use more concrete subject matter, but PacBoy was experimental – I only had an idea of the aesthetic form I wanted to achieve. After two months designing the range I asked friends and family to help me name it. Most of them thought it looked like a game, hence the name PacBoy.

What is your process behind making a pattern or print?

I try to have fun and play with a different process each time. I’ll often make weird art, cut it up and paste the pieces in different positions to make new patterns. Then I’ll
scan it and edit out the ugly bits until I find a composition I’m happy with.

What feelings do you want your patterns to evoke?

My patterns are always colourful and geometric. I want my work to look South African, to be a part of the country’s creative landscape and visual identity – I always work with that in mind.

View more of Renée’s work at reneerossouwstudio.com.