At its core, contemplation is an act of deep consideration—a quiet dialogue
between the self and the world. It is in this meditative space that the late
Trudi Dicks’s work finds resonance, inviting viewers into a space where
thought and emotion merge seamlessly with colour, form, and texture.
Over the last few months The Project Room team has been working through
the entire oeuvre of Dicks’s work which remained in her studio, and in this
process two significant themes emerged—abstract contemplation and
human relationships through conversation. To honour these themes, two
exhibitions will be presented: Contemplation, which is currently on show,
and Conversations, set to be exhibited next year. Contemplation celebrates
Dicks’s mastery of abstraction and her lifelong exploration of artistic
techniques, offering insight into the depth and evolution of her creative
practice.
Contemplation is an exhibition that celebrates Dicks’s mastery of abstraction
and her lifelong exploration of artistic techniques. This collection of works,
largely consisting of linocuts layered with vibrant hues, is a testament to
her technical prowess and intuitive connection to the natural world. Each
piece serves as an invitation to pause, to immerse oneself in its intricate
layers, and to engage in the silent act of seeing.
Dicks’s approach to abstraction was never arbitrary. Instead, it stemmed
from a profound engagement with her surroundings. The Namibian
landscape, with its vast horizons, shifting light, and organic rhythms,
informed her artistic vocabulary. Her work, while non-representational,
evokes the essence of these natural elements— the quiet persistence of
nature and her engagement with, and experience of it.
The act of contemplation is also evident in Dicks’s process. Linocut, a medium
requiring precision and patience, was one of her preferred methods of
expression. Through it, she developed unique techniques of layering and
carving, allowing colour and form to interact in ways that create both depth
and movement. The works in this exhibition capture this dynamic interplay,
with overlapping tones and etched textures revealing the artist’s meticulous
yet instinctive hand.
Throughout her career, Dicks’s work evolved with a sense of inquiry. Her
early monochromatic prints, marked by their stark contrasts and bold
compositions, gave way to increasingly complex and colorful explorations.
This evolution was not just technical but deeply personal—an ongoing
conversation with her own artistic impulses and lived experiences. Born
with a hearing impairment, Dicks was acutely attuned to the visual world,
and this heightened sense of perception translated into compositions that
pulse with energy and life.
Contemplation is more than a retrospective; it is a tribute to an artist who
saw the world with a unique intensity and transformed that vision into lasting
visual impression. Her works do not demand immediate understanding;
rather, they encourage an unfolding experience, much like the slow
realization that comes with deep thought.
As we engage with these works, we are reminded of the value of stillness,
of allowing ourselves the space to truly look, to absorb, and to reflect. In
a world that moves at an ever-accelerating pace, Contemplation offers a
necessary pause—an opportunity to engage with art not as a fleeting visual
encounter, but as a profound and immersive experience.
Trudi Dicks’s legacy reflects a deep commitment to artistic exploration.
Through this collection, we honour not only her technical brilliance but also
the spirit of contemplation that defined her practice. Her work remains a
guiding presence, urging us to slow down, to observe, and to find meaning
in the spaces between colour and form, between thought and emotion,
between art and life. Contemplation will be on show until 25 April 2O25.
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