Katrine Claassens. Winter, Johannesburg, 1994.Oil and pencil on canvas. 152 x 121. 2012

The subject matter of this painting is light, in particular the blank, bleached light of Johannesburg winter sun. The light there in winter afternoons both reflects so brightly it burns the eyes and yet at the same time it is absorbent, as colour, over-exposed in the blinding light, is bleached to matt, muted tones. Traces of the process of painting are left behind, adding to the narrative of the figurative aspect of the painting.