Stella Shawzin  born in South Africa 1923

Over the course of her 60 year career, Stella Shawzin has devoted herself to the study of human forms, inviting viewers to engage with the work as a starting point for examining themselves. When asked about her artistic motivations, Shawzin responded:

“South Africa’s complex society has been my inspiration… the broad spectrum of humanity is my concern…all the emotional impact of a lifetime [has gone] into my interpretation of the Human condition”.

“I have always found the female figure fascinating, the image in my mind has already been simplified before I start. No complicated bulging muscles, but gentle flowing curves. My figures, although reclining, are not static but full of movement. I use the suggestion of drapes to reveal the sinuous quality of inner muscular tensions. I emphasize these curves using the natural flow of line and direction.”