Two creatives turn shabby to chic in Linden
Not everything artistic needs to be done by fine art hands. Sometimes they just need someone with a creative eye.
Though she had always been interested in creating crafts, Rona Marx never considered herself a fine artist. Yet she now runs a store that turns old things new through her creative eye.
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Found at Linden’s Garden on 4th, Aljander Emporium is a hobby business she started. She runs various workshops that help people turn old everyday items from shabby to chic, with a focus on home décor. “It allows you to transform your home yourself, which is quite empowering for people.” She loves that this space allows people to socialise with others who may have similar interests.
Marx feels people get easily intimidated to get into art because they think they need to be grand artists. But there are people, much like her, who aren’t artists yet find that they are creative. “I also think that for mental health, everybody needs to be creative at some point. It grounds you and makes you focus on something that is beautiful for you, which then makes you feel good about yourself because you have created a beautiful product.”
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Now in her mid-50s Marx has, worked and lived overseas and has ventured into a lot of different things and though she still works in corporate, it is her creativity she wants to embrace as she slows down. “I am not 30 anymore and trying to be this big career woman. I like having the balance.” Starting a hobby business, in her opinion, needs to be based on something one is interested in and passionate about.
Working along side her is Katlego Mankhoe who says this outlet has helped him find a sense of calm. Originally from the IT industry, he loves that opening himself up to the art space allows for freedom.
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