Alchemy in the Abyss Catalogue

ALCHEMY IN THE ABYSS

BERNETTE LOUW

SASCHA OLIVIER-SAMPSON

EXHIBITION CATALOGUE www.bellhaus.art

ABOUT

Alchemy in the Abyss: Unveiling Hidden Depths What mysteries lie beneath the surface? In Alchemy in the Abyss, Bernette Louw and Sascha Olivier-Sampson explore the depths of both the ocean and the mind, where light fades and shadows twist. As modern-day alchemists, they transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, inviting us into a dialogue with the unknown. Their art goes beyond simple representation, becoming a gateway to realms that blur the maritime lines between reality and imagination.

Sascha's work, inspired by the ocean’s hidden layers, captures the fluid nature of existence. Her acrylic paintings, manipulated with heat and mixed materials, reveal an abstract world where colour and form move with gravity.

The viewer is called to look closer, discovering faces, shapes, and emotions within the depths of her pieces.

Bernette’s sculptures delve deeper into the abyss. Using paper mâché, she creates intricate forms resembling sea creatures from a mysterious world. Her creations, though often imagined, evoke the strange beauty of life in uncharted waters.

Curator Andrea Behnsen highlights the relevance of maritime themes in Namibia’s current environmental and industrial climate. Alchemy in the Abyss invites viewers to explore transformation and mystery, reminding us of the vast unknown beneath the waves.

My artistic journey thrives at the intersection of paper and nature.

Specializing in paper mâché, I craft both whimsical sculptures and functional pieces that celebrate the organic forms and unique textures of the natural world.

What captivates me about paper mâché is the transformation it offers—how simple materials evolve into something enduring,

BERNETTE LOUW

textured, and evocative. I'm particularly inspired by natural patterns, and I’m excited to explore color more deeply in future works.

For this exhibition, my focus is on marine life. The ocean, in all its power and mystery, constantly inspires me—from the immense force of a storm to the calm serenity it can evoke. I am fascinated by the tiny treasures that wash ashore and the unknown creatures that dwell in the deep. The ocean fills me with wonder, and this awe stems from my strong connection to it, having grown up in Walvis Bay. In my larger pieces, I integrate dried seaweed to create texture in the wet paper mâché, while in the smaller, more intricate works, I incorporate natural elements like tiny shells and starfish. Some pieces also feature a touch of decoupage to add color and vibrancy.

One of the things I value most about working with paper mâché is its eco-friendly nature. By repurposing waste paper and using minimal, non-toxic ingredients, my process remains both sustainable and accessible, relying primarily on hands-on craftsmanship. Once dried— sun and air-dried over a few days—the resulting pieces are durable, strong, and even fire-resistant.

Through my art, I aim to capture the beauty of nature while championing an environmentally conscious approach to creativity.

Round vessel - Ripples AA01 Paper Mâché 340 x 310 x 310mm NAD 2,250.00

Vase - Barnacles on a bottle AA02 Paper Mâché 235 x 80 x 80mm NAD 700.00

Vase - Coral AA03 Paper Mâché 420 x 220 x 225mm NAD 2,450.00

Vase - Sea slug AA04 Paper Mâché 425 x 150 x 150mm NAD 1,500.00

Vessel - Waves AA05 Paper Mâché 190 x 180 x 180mm NAD 950.00

Vessel - Shallow waters AA06 Paper Mâché 240 x 230 x 230mm NAD 1,250.00

Tea light - Ripples and light AA07 Paper Mâché 135 x 150 x 150mm NAD 700.00

Tea light - Sea garden I AA08 Paper Mâché 190 x 100 x 100mm NAD 700.00

Tea light - Sea garden II AA09 Paper Mâché 190 x 100 x 100mm NAD 700.00

Decorative plate - Wave of little treasures AA10 Paper Mâché 55 x 300 x 300mm NAD 1,800.00

Sculpture - Tall Anemone AA11 Paper Mâché 300 x 150 x 140mm NAD 1,250.00

Sculpture - Cute bottom feeder AA13 Paper Mâché 175 x 160 x 160mm NAD 1,250.00

Sculpture - I bite AA14 Paper Mâché 350 x 100 x 310mm NAD 2,500.00

Sculpture - Deep sea Anglerfish AA15 Paper Mâché 360 x 70 x 160mm NAD 1,100.00

Vase - Lettuce Sea slug AA16 Paper Mâché 290 x 210 x 210mm NAD 1,400.00

Vessel - Beach Sand AA17 Paper Mâché 315 x 280 x 280mm NAD 1,950.00

Vessel - Beach Basket AA18 Paper Mâché 245 x 210 x 210mm NAD 1,300.00

Vessel/sculpture -Tides AA19 Paper Mâché 80 x 270 x 200mm NAD 1,700.00

Whale I AA20 Wood and Paper Mâché 320 x 40 x 110mm NAD 1,000.00

Whale II AA21 Wood and Paper Mâché 320 x 45 x 120mm NAD 1,000.00

Whale III AA22 Wood and Paper Mâché 295 x 35 x 110mm NAD 1,000.00

Whale IV AA23 Wood and Paper Mâché 280 x 40 x 110mm NAD 1,000.00

Whale V AA24 Wood and Paper Mâché 260x 30 x 95mm NAD 1,000.00

Rock with barnacles AA25 Paper Mâché 110 x 170 x 240mm NAD 1,450.00

Vessel/tea light with shells AA26 Paper Mâché 130 x 145 x 145mm NAD 700.00

Small vessel - Sea fronds AA27 Paper Mâché 125 x 130 x 130mm NAD 250.00

Sea Drum AA28 Paper Mâché 195 x 250 x 270mm NAD 1,950.00

Candle Stick I AA29 Paper Mâché 265 x 135 x 135mm NAD 1,250.00

Candle Stick II AA30 Paper Mâché 265 x 135 x 135mm NAD 1,250.00

Little holder with leaves AA31 Paper Mâché 35 x 140 x 150mm NAD 400.00

Holder of treasures AA32 Paper Mâché 180 x 140 x 145mm NAD 950.00

Little holder of treasures AA33 Paper Mâché 130 x 120 x 120mm NAD 850.00

Seaside village AA34 Paper Mâché 135 x 200 x 210mm NAD 1,300.00

Bait Ball - rotatable on a stand AA35 Paper Mâché 850 x 500 x 500mm NAD 4,350.00

Frilly pufferfish AA36 Paper Mâché 710 x 350 x 420mm NAD 3,050.00

Seaweed printed plate AA37 Paper Mâché 15 x 130 x 190mm NAD 250.00

Vessel - When the tide goes out AA38 Paper Mâché 350 x 350 x 350mm NAD 2,100.00

SASCHA OLIVIER-SAMPSON

Sascha Olivier-Sampson’s collection draws inspiration from the ocean, focusing on its dynamic moods, vastness, and emotional impact. Central to the theme is the color blue, which she uses to express both the serenity and the powerful, sometimes overwhelming force of the sea. The work explores the sensations of being submerged underwater, capturing the calm of submersion, the anxiety of the ocean’s dark depths, the life forms that dwell within, and the exhilaration of surfacing.

Her return to visual arts, following a career in performance and fashion, presents this collection as a reflection of her longstanding fascination with movement. The pieces offer an immersive experience, blending visual storytelling with the fluidity of the sea. In addition to the artworks, she incorporates her MGDS (Moon Goddess Design Studio) kimonos, the fashion pieces that helped launch her brand, into the exhibit. This addition provides a tactile, enveloping layer to the experience, allowing viewers to not only witness the ocean’s essence but also wear it as a form of art. Through this collection, Sascha aims to convey a full sensory journey, from the calm of the ocean’s surface to the depths where anxiety and wonder reside.

Strait Through AA40 Acrylic on canvas 910 x 910mm NAD 9,850.00

Bubbling To The Surface AA41 Acrylic on canvas 910 x 910mm NAD 9,850.00

Centropyge AA42 Acrylic on canvas 910 x 910mm NAD 9,850.00

Ocean Agitation AA43 Acrylic on canvas 910 x 910mm NAD 9,850.00

Between Mountains AA44 Acrylic on canvas 905 x 605mm NAD 9,300.00

Crashing AA45 Acrylic on canvas 750 x 600mm NAD 8,500.00

Manta Ray AA46 Acrylic on canvas 500 x 415mm NAD 7,550.00

Face In The Water AA47 Acrylic on canvas 700 x 500mm NAD 8,250.00

Exocoetidae AA48 Acrylic on canvas 700 x 500mm NAD 8,250.00

Medusozoa AA49 Acrylic on canvas 700 x 500mm NAD 8,250.00

La Mer Labyrinth AA50 Acrylic on canvas 760 x 605mm NAD 8,450.00

Liquid Tomb AA51 Acrylic on canvas 600 x 600mm NAD 8,050.00

Midnight Tide AA52 Acrylic on canvas 600 x 600mm NAD 8,050.00

In A Downward Whelk AA53 Acrylic on canvas 910 x 610mm NAD 9,450.00

Calypso AA54 Acrylic on canvas 210 x 295mm NAD 4,450.00

Get In The Water AA55 Acrylic on canvas 210 x 295mm NAD 4,450.00

Submerged AA56 Acrylic on canvas 210 x 295mm NAD 4,450.00

Blood In The Water AA57 Acrylic on canvas 300 x 455mm NAD 6,150.00

Storm In The Water AA58 Acrylic on canvas 455 x 355mm NAD 6,700.00

Lophiiformes In The Deep Blue AA59 Acrylic on canvas 455 x 355mm NAD 6,700.00

Ocean Eye View Triptych AA60 Acrylic on canvas 250 x 250mm (x3) NAD 6,850.00

Ocean Eye View Triptych (Left) AA60 Acrylic on canvas 250 x 250mm

Ocean Eye View Triptych (Centre) AA60 Acrylic on canvas 250 x 250mm

Ocean Eye View Triptych (Right) AA60 Acrylic on canvas 250 x 250mm

Vermilion Miles To Shore Triptych AA61 Acrylic on canvas 200 x 200mm (x3) NAD 6,700.00

Vermilion Miles To Shore Triptych (Top) AA61 Acrylic on canvas 200 x 200mm

Vermilion Miles To Shore Triptych (Centre) AA61 Acrylic on canvas 200 x 200mm

Vermilion Miles To Shore Triptych (Bottom) AA61 Acrylic on canvas 200 x 200mm

Kimono 1 AA62 Hand Dyed Muslin One size fits all NAD 1,100.00

Kimono 2 AA63 Hand Dyed Muslin One size fits all NAD 1,100.00

Kimono 3 AA64 Hand Dyed Viscose One size fits all NAD 1,100.00

Kimono 4 AA65 Hand Dyed Muslin One size fits all NAD 1,100.00

Kimono 5 AA66 Hand Dyed Muslin One size fits all NAD 1,100.00

Kimono 6 AA67 Hand Dyed Muslin One size fits all NAD 1,100.00

For more information visit www.bellhaus.art Prices in this catalogue exclude shipping and are in namibian Dollars.

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