Next in our series of introductions to Artfinder's newest curators is Beulah Van Rensburg. Beulah is the founder of Van Rensburg Galleries in Hong Kong and Australia, as well as the artistic director at The Chateau d'Orquevaux Artist Residency in France. A practising artist herself, Beulah opened a small gallery in Hong Kong and started exhibiting at the Affordable Art Fair, which grew locally and internationally into New York art fairs and then to a second gallery in Milton, Australia.
Here, she explains her journey from starting as a young practising artist to becoming an artistic director and founding international galleries.
“I have been an artist from a young age, so I’ve always had an appreciation for other artists' work. I know what it takes to get to the soul of the work. This crossed over to understanding and falling in love with telling the artist’s story. I love to see people's honest reaction to an artist’s work. The process in which I get to witness people approach an artwork is important. It’s in those first moments that the magic happens - there is a silent dialogue that occurs, they get drawn in deeper and deeper. I try not to get in the way of the possibility of someone falling in love with an artwork. It’s very personal and in these moments I am a matchmaker and the chemistry needs to do the work. Frankly, I think we should all have more art and love in our life."
"I am now taking up a new role as artistic director at The Chateau d'Orquevaux Artist Residency in France, where our mission is to emphasise the human experience and the creative process. The residency creates an environment for the artist in their quest for personal growth and artistic expression, while reinforcing that the end product is not necessarily the principal focus.
"We believe life is a creative journey and consider every moment to be a part of the process. New experiences stimulate creativity and revitalise the creative mind. For this reason, our residency is self-motivated. The artist must immerse themselves in the French country lifestyle and the things you thought you knew back home will begin to look different.
"As artistic director, I am involved in many different parts of the residency, which can include talking, techniques, inspiration and working directly with the artist's direction during their time at the residency. I also help with the selection of attendees, as well as holding inspirational nights and discussions."
To celebrate Beulah joining Artfinder's curatorial board, she has curated her own collection of portraits.
