Meet Ana Flores – the Internationally collected artist from River Club
A glimpse into the journey taken by River Club-based artist Ana Flores.
The art pieces by River Club-based, internationally acclaimed artist Ana Flores stand out for the way in which Flores juxtaposes white lines with black canvas backgrounds.
The opportunity to finally sit down with Flores presented itself on July 25, at the opening ceremony to this year’s RedFest in Morningside.
Flores’ exhibition at this year’s RedFest builds onto her successful appearance at the Keyes Art Mile in Rosebank, where some of her art is sold to collectors.
Flores reflected on her 33-year career as a professional artist. She also spoke briefly about some of her public artworks created for organisations in northern Johannesburg.
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“I started here by doing the tree-of-life for the Walter Sisulu Pediatric Cardiac Foundation for Africa at Sunninghill Hospital. Thereafter, I became chosen as a South African artist for Cow Parade South Africa,” Flores said. “I also wanted to tell you about the community artwork which I’ve done at the Sandton SPCA. I did a mural artwork of a pit bull in the area which was used for intermingling their pets with the ones they were adopting.”
Born in Mozambique, and raised in South Africa, Flores remains proud of her Portuguese roots, although she fully claims South Africa as the home of her legacy.
“I’m more South African than anything else, but I have Portuguese heritage,” said Flores. “I arrived in South Africa aged 10, so I’ve now been living in South Africa for 50 years.”
Acknowledging the challenges involved in selling art, Flores concluded by sharing words of encouragement to young artists looking to learn how to price their artwork accordingly.
“You know, selling artwork is always nice, because, of course, you have a collector who loves your work, and can afford it,” Flores said.
“One of the things I was taught is that an artist should always value their own artwork. If you do not value it, no one else will as you would. If you feel you are worth a certain amount, then that is what you charge.”
RedFest ran at Redhill School in Morningside from July 25–28.
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