02/04/2026
Last week I was cordially invited by Tracy Winde to the Premier's residence at Leeuwenhof, Cape Town.
We were graciously welcomed with generosity of spirit, and a heartwarming approachability, I was perhaps not expecting considering the setting.
Tracy Winde is the founder of HeARTshine. A charity dedicated to addressing trauma in children from under-resourced areas. Teaching them essential coping skills to become active, employable and responsible citizens. This is done through the use of creative arts and mindfulness practices.
With coffee in hand it became quite clear the passion Tracy harbours for this approach to tackling some of South Africa's socio-economic challenges. Having a degree in Performing Arts she values the therapeutic impact art can have in communities. HeARTshine has a Champion program, that identifies and trains young people between the ages of 20-30 in becoming ambassadors for this approach and perpetuating these skills sets amongst the youth in their communities.
The reason for my invitation, to deliver one of my art pieces and have a conversation around art's role in inspiring and empowering the youth.
The art piece in question could be considered my first self-portrait. A mask, some of you might recognise. The title being "A priest of Nerthus".
Art is the embodiment of human experience. In this case an expression of my connection and interaction with femininity. Not only within myself, but my environment.
It is fascinating to see art take on this status as an entity, separate from the artist. Undertaking a journey and finding meaningful interactions with people on its way. The piece came to be in a period where I was processing recent trauma myself. I wonder if somehow this was captured in the sculpture and resonated with Tracy and her team.
A priest of Nerthus will come under the hammer at De Zalze estate, as part of Heartshine's golf day. I am proud to be associated with this charity and wish them great success with the important work they are doing.
