The talented Paradise Beach artist, Marlene Liebenberg, recently attended the Decorex Joburg decor and design show, where her sculptures formed part of an exhibition showcasing national artwork to a wider audience.
Liebenberg’s adventure as a sculptor started about 10 years ago when she was living in Tsitsikamma.
She experimented with wild clay and primitive firing methods; however, when she moved to Paradise Beach about five years ago, she started working with polyester resin composites.
The process entails sculpting in plasticine clay, from which a silicone mould is made for the casting of the finished sculpture in polyester resin.
She also uses a variety of mediums to enhance her art pieces.
“I prefer to create sculptures from memory that are unique and unusual, and bring expression to my work,” said Liebenberg.
As a proud South African, she said that she incorporates a great deal of the country’s heritage and culture into her artwork as she is passionate about producing work that expresses character and awakens emotions.
“It’s important to me, because of all the different cultures that make South Africa and the African continent unique. When I lived in Tsitsikamma I visited many Khoisan caves, and that is when I started to sculpt different tribes,” said Liebenberg.
Even though she is known as a sculptor, her considerable talents also include two-dimensional art, namely collage and oil painting, with her work exhibited at the Johan Brink & Friends Gallery in Storms River Village, Gallop Hill Gallery in Franschhoek, Seven Sisters Vineyards in Stellenbosch, Koena Art Institute in Cape Town, and Roche Bobois in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
In addition to having her artwork on display at various art galleries, Liebenberg has showcased her uniquely beautiful designs at various local art exhibitions as well.
Finally, perseverance and passion for her craft paid off when she was chosen and sponsored by the Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture to showcase her remarkable sculptures at the prestigious Decorex Joburg.
Being selected provided her with a platform to share her art with a wider audience, highlighting her growth as an artist and her contribution to the local art scene.
“Decorex is at the forefront of decor, design, and lifestyle trends, hosting over 100 events and helping to launch thousands of businesses, putting an indelible stamp on the industry,” said Liebenberg.
She further said that featuring at Decorex offered her the opportunity to have direct exposure to all the major players in the decor, design, and lifestyle industries, as well as the public.
For more information, contact Marlene Liebenberg at 082 765 3745, email marleneliebenberg111@gmail.com, or visit her Facebook and Instagram social media pages.
