Born 1974 in Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa
Lives and works Melkbosstrand, Cape Town, South Africa
Lize Beekman is acknowledged as one of South Africa’s leading singer-songwriters. Her Afrikaans songs have endeared her to audiences, and over the years these songs have become known and loved. Beekman’s gentle yet powerful performances carry the hallmarks of integrity and quality.
Her creativity is, however, not limited to music only: visual art lovers now have the opportunity to experience and enjoy this exceptional talent on canvas and paper also.
Beekman’s visual art includes a gripping collection of mandalas. She re-invents and re-interprets this centuries-old art form in a fresh and unique way, inventing circles and whorls in order to represent a very personal journey. Originally a Sanskrit word, “mandala” simply means “circle”, but in a larger context it symbolises the unity of Creation. Indeed, here the mandalas not only become a cosmic representation of healing, but also refer to the complexity of life and death.
“Music and lyrics have always been channels for me to express my emotions. However, in an extremely traumatic and hurtful time in my life I simply could not express my grief through words. I had no knowledge of mandalas – they presented themselves to me unannounced. I did not search for them; they were simply there. I often draw for hours and days on end and sometimes lose track of time; for me the mandalas have become the letters, conversations, and the prayers of my heart and thoughts. The creative process brings me immense peace and healing – it means a lot to me.”
Where Lize Beekman at first engaged the imagination with her music and lyrics, art lovers now have the opportunity to enjoy both her musical talent and her ability to create extraordinary art.
It is the artist’s unique interpretation of this age-old art form (Hildegard von Bingen, a 12th century nun, created mandalas as an expression of her faith) that makes her work unique. The colour palette is often unexpected, and the detailed filigree of the mandalas reminds one of the finest lacework. In the process of creation, her works become an exquisite journey of healing and peace.
