Randpark artist paints stories of memory and migration
Originally from Argentina, Randpark artist Oriana Perez Casanova makes use of watercolour, collage, and embroidery to tell beautiful stories inspired by nature, migration, and the memories that moulded her life.
After spending more than two decades in South Africa, Oriana Perez Casanova, a Randpark based artist, has found a creative way to turn memories, emotions, and everyday life into remarkable works of art.
Born in a small town in Southern Chile before moving to Argentina at the age of nine, Casanova said memories from her childhood still influence the stories behind her paintings.
“My early childhood was almost idyllic with sweet memories of lush forests, fruit orchards, rolling green hills, and cold winters.”
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Casanova moved to Johannesburg in 1996 and has lived in various places, including Orange Grove, Montgomery Park, and Linden, and has now settled in Randpark.
She describes South Africa as a beautiful country filled with rich culture. “I love the African culture, it is something very different for me.”
Casanova worked as a civil engineer for 12 years before becoming a full-time artist. After some time, she left the corporate world, because she had to raise her daughters and the pressures of work no longer gave her much joy. “I decided to quit and take a gap, but then I never went back again.”
She added that, after quitting, she took some lessons in watercolour and her artistic journey started. Even though her art doesn’t really make much money, Casanova says she is happy. She utilises mediums such as watercolour, collage, oil paint, acrylic, charcoal, and embroidery in her art.
Casanova’s inspiration comes from childhood memories, architecture, flowers, and nature. Many of her paintings include churches, gardens, birds, and houses, each carrying a deep meaning.
“When I started, my inspiration came from my childhood memories and everything that is close by, like flowers and buildings, because I studied engineering.”
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Now, she teaches art classes at her home every Tuesday morning. Since 2019, she has organised annual art exhibitions, often alongside her students, saying her exhibitions aim to inspire creativity and showcase different artistic techniques.
She has also worked with schools and organisations, including hosting workshops for young children at Mimosa School in Brixton and creating illustrations for a non-governmental organisation in Cape Town.
For Pérez Casanova, art plays an important role in society. She stated that it contributes towards mental health and self-expression.
Despite the language barriers that she has experienced in South Africa, and the challenges of putting herself out there in Johannesburg’s competitive art scene, Pérez Casanova continues to take her art journey.
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