From an early age, her mother, herself being an artist, introduced Androetta to the power of art as a means of expression, but it was only later in life, when her successful career in the sciences was disrupted by a traumatic accident, that Androetta rediscovered her passion for art. This dramatic personal shift inspired her belief that change should be embraced, as it often acts as a catalyst for the greatest discoveries and growth.
Currently based in Cape Town, Androetta draws inspiration from the rich diversity of cultures in South Africa. Her bold and colourful works are characterised through illustration and striking surface patterns. Her true obsession, however, is with the depth and complexity of universal human emotions, and she strives to create art that captures the deep nuances and intricacies of people’s inner thoughts and feelings. Her portraits investigate how we seldom experience only one emotion at a time – how sadness can be tinged with joyful nostalgia, for example, or pride darkened by fear and anger.
Androetta’s debut exhibition took place in December 2020. She has since received two major accolades (a Top 40 place in the nationwide Sanlam Portrait award for 2021, and a silver award for Camelback Gallery’s international black and white art competition in 2021) and participated in group gallery exhibitions at Artisart, Cahoots and Rust en Vrede, as well as the ‘Home is where the art is’ exhibition at the Zeitz MOCAA.
Various invitations to group exhibitions and commissions have followed these accolades. Androetta Bekker is a strong, deep and passionate artist to watch.