South African artist Grady Zeeman creates oil paintings that address emotional energy and spiritual connectivity in contemporary society.
Till We Meet Again, Zeeman’s latest series, is a heartfelt exploration of the universal emotions tied to love, separation, and reunions, inspired by the artist’s observations at airports. With a focus on the impact of physical touch, the series draws from the concept of love languages and aims to convey the power of touch in fostering closeness and trust. Through intricate details and vibrant depictions, the artist portrays subjects as enveloped by the energy of Divine love. Using oil as the primary medium and adding texture to symbolize life’s challenges, the series becomes a visual representation of overcoming difficulties through love. Ultimately, Zeeman hopes to convey her love for the Divine, humanity, and life itself, leaving behind a legacy of love, hope, and light.
Zeeman exhibited her work extensively, in the United States, the UK, Western Europe, Asia, and Africa. Her art was published in NY Arts Magazine, South African Art Times, Arttour International Magazine as well as numerous other books and publications. She was the recipient of many international art prizes and received the African Excellence Award for Contemporary Artist of the Year, in 2022. From 2011 to 2017 Zeeman had her own gallery in her hometown in South Africa, where she exhibited her work and that of other South African artists.
GRADY ZEEMAN ON
I’ll Hold You In My Heart, 2024 Oil on
You’re My World, My Everything, 2024 Oil on canvas
“Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one’s weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.” - Mahatma Gandhi BUY ON ART-MINE.COMPrayer, 2023 Oil on canvas 27.5” x 27.5” $2750
In order to achieve one’s fullest potential, it is often necessary to let go of old beliefs and tribal restrictions that keep one from growing. “The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn” David Russel BUY ON ART-MINE.COM
Cutting Ties, 2023 Oil on canvas 27.5” x 27.5” $2750
$2750
“The wound is the place where Light enters you” - Rumi; During times of devastating loss, it would be easy to be angry and blame God, but when one allows the light of love to shine through, true healing can begin.
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Shattered, 2023 Oil on canvas 27.5” x 27.5”
When visiting the grave of a loved one, it is Jewish custom to put a small stone as sign of visitation and memory on the grave. The act of “showing up”, “being there” is just as significant to the living, for it is sometimes all they need.
I regularly spend time at an airport, either due to my own travels or my family’s. I have always been deeply touched by the pure, uninhibited form of expressing love when people are saying farewell or when welcomed home. On many occasions, I have cried my heart out with other mothers I have never met before.
With more than 2 million South Africans living abroad, whether students, part of the international workforce, or those who emigrated, most of us have children, family, or friends who live all over the world. The thought that one would not see them in the next year, two or more is gut-wrenching. Due to technology, we can have good relationships with our loved ones, but the one thing missing is the ability to touch, to hold, to kiss. As humans we are social animals, we thrive when we are connected to others. Touch is one way we can express that connection. In his book 5 Languages of Love, Gary D. Chapman describes physical touch as a love language. When we hug, whether it is a bear hug, a side hug, or any other form, our bodies release oxycontin, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, which increases bonding, closeness, and trust. Hugs have other health
benefits too: lowering blood pressure, heart rate, anxiety levels, and cortisol, are but a few.
Vibrating at 528Hz, love opens, balances, and heals the heart chakra. Flowers, grass, the buzzing of bees, and even a sunbeam, vibrate at the same frequency. Scientists see 528Hz as the frequency of life itself, I see it as the Divine weaving his love through every aspect of His creation.
In this series, Till We Meet Again, I have focused on the deep human emotions, that all stem from love, and by illuminating the people in the painting, I portray them as being encompassed by the energy of Divine love. My preferred medium is oil, though I start with a thin layer of acrylic to let the texture of the canvas through. By adding texture to the scene, I create a contrast, symbolizing life’s difficulties that can be overcome by love.
I desire that through this series, my love for the Divine, my love for humanity, and my love for life itself, is evident; and that my legacy through my art will be Love, Hope, and Light.
ORIGINAL GRADY ZEEMAN ARTWORKS ON
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