Saskia Bienvenüe’s Statement
“I found I could say things with shape and colour that I couldn’t say any other way - things I have no words for.”
Creativity takes courage, searching deep and if I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint.
Coming from a textile design background, I prefer to call myself a decorative artist. I am passionate about beauty; texture and I have a love for mixing colour and experimenting new media such as painting on mirrors or creating resin geodes. Finding new techniques and pushing myself is invigorating. Mixed media is what I enjoy most. Gold has been added into my artwork as I find depth and luminosity in it. I have a deep love for painting abstract florals, birds and abstract art which includes flow and a richness of colour.
I have learnt through years of being an artist that pulling out from deep within and walking in faith is the only way to be able to create something harmonious and translucent.
About Saskia
Saskia Bienvenüe was born in South Africa in 1967 to a Dutch mother and a German father. She studied Textile Design at the Durban Berea Technikon in 1988 and began practicing as a designer for several years painting intricate florals and repeat patterns.
She met a Parisian and went to join him in France where she married him. She was a lace underwear designer before she returned to South Africa at the end of 1997.
While living in France, a friend suggested to move out of her comfort zone and experiment with florals falling off her canvas. Saskia was so homesick for South Africa that she started painting in her spare time using the energy and the vibrancy of colour that she was missing in her life in Europe.
1996 was the year she began selling her art. She then exhibited in London and twice in Paris. When she returned to Cape Town, she started sharing her professional time between art and motherhood.
Saskia has been mainly painting for commissions both for private art lovers and decorators. She sells her art on Instagram and at Decorex shows. After spending 21 years in Durban, her studio is now back in CapeTown since 2022.
Exhibitions
1988 Diploma in Textile Design, Durban Technikon
1989-1997 Designer of textile and lace for several South African, French companies
1997 Exhibition in Paris
2003 Exhibition in Paris and London
2008 Exhibition in Durban
2010 Commence collaboration with Interior decorators in Durban and Johannesburg
2017 Exhibits at Decorex Durban
2018 Exhibits at Decorex Durban
2019 Exhibits at Decorex Johannesburg
2022 Benguela Galleries, Hermanus