Artist

Artist Pauline Gutter grew up on the farm Nuwe Orde in the Free State, which has ensured her deeply rooted understanding of the landscape, cattle and farmers. Her work highlights the “removal” of the farming community from their land. A review of a recent exhibition described her themes: “A struggle for survival prevails in the dangerous world that is projected to us in the paintings … The viewer observes the land, the people and animals in the extreme, depicted as soft targets and voiceless victims.” She sees her artwork as a way to bring communities together:

“Art is an instrument of diversity that heals people.” Gutter’s work is widely recognised and included in private and corporate collections both locally and abroad, but she remains commited to her home country. She is this year’s recipient of the Helgaard Steyn prize and has been a finalist in many other distinguished art competitions, including Sasol New Signatures and the Absa L’Atelier Awards.

— Lisa van Wyk

Twitter: @PaulineGutter