Cornè Theron, submitted artwork
Cornè Theron
Painting, Video
France
Cornè Theron is a former conveyancer turned artist who quickly gained recognition for her work. Born in Worcester, South Africa, in 1974, pursued a law degree at the University of the Orange Free State, completing her LLB in 1997. After transitioning to the art world, she was a finalist in the Crouse Gallery's 'Fresh Talent competition' and shortlisted for the SA Taxi Art Awards. She participated in group exhibitions and held her first solo exhibition in Johannesburg. She discovered the use of glass as a filter to blur her images in an old door in their South African farmhouse. In 2019, Theron moved to France on a talent visa awarded by the French Government to grow her art career. Her multidisciplinary practice includes oil painting, photography, video, computational works, and digital animations. In 2020, her first international solo exhibition, AMA, in Frankfurt, sold out within a week. She gained further acclaim with her 2023 exhibition, AQUA, in Kassel, Germany, and a 2024 solo exhibition in Munich curated by Dr. Sonja Lechner. Theron's work, celebrated for its emotional and intellectual depth, invites viewers to reflect on their behaviors and motivations. She is supported by notable collectors, including Mike Steib, former CEO of Artsy, who has endorsed her work. Theron currently resides in France, continuing to expand her artistic career and explore new perspectives on the human experience.
Works
Cornè Theron, submitted artwork
I am a neo-optical contemporary artist, defining this as more than juxtaposing colors but as finding new ways of 'seeing'. I use repurposed vintage French glass to blur my images, adding abstraction and depth, and fading the lines between reality and perception. Using water as a metaphor for our subconscious actions' fluid and hidden nature, I explore the question, "Why do we do the things we do?" Water, with its cohesion and flexibility, represents the fragility and interconnectedness of our social ecosystems. This central theme in my work depicts the delicate balance and intricate connections in our interactions and relationships. By using glass to create a pixellated and blurred representation of subconscious reactions, I highlight the fragmented and fragile nature of modern identity and how technology mediates our self-perception, influencing us through echo chambers, repetition, and self-validation. My multidisciplinary practice encompasses traditional and digital mediums. I paint with oil on canvas, creating rich, textured works that invite viewers to explore the layers of meaning beneath the surface. Additionally, through photography, video, and computational works, I explore the intersection of art and technology to bring my concepts to life. Through my diverse body of work, I aim to uncover the hidden layers of our subconscious ecosystems, social cohesion, and individuality.
