Petra Sittig Photography - Vienna, Austria
Petra Sittig Photography - Photoshoots for Artists and Professionals
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The artist's voice -Podcast

The Artist's voice is a platform for artists to talk about and showcase their form of art. Inviting all artists to express their love for what they do and use this platform to give an insight into their world. All dancers, choreographers, teachers, musicians, singers, composers, creators of art; this is the place to show and tell.

The Artist’s voice

Inspired during the initial COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020, my project was sparked by witnessing the struggles of my children, ballet dancers at the Vienna State Opera, unable to practice their craft due to isolation. Initially a small photography endeavor, capturing artists at their windows, it swiftly transformed into a symbol of solidarity for the arts community.

The repercussions of this pandemic will echo throughout the artistic and cultural sectors for years to come. Thus, I felt compelled to shed light on the plight of creative individuals and organizations, advocating for their recognition and support. Through this project, I aimed to amplify artists' voices, offering a platform for their stories and perspectives. If they can't grace the stage, they should still be seen and heard.

Vienna, a bastion of culture, served as a fitting backdrop for my efforts, with its rich artistic heritage and diverse community. I've photographed over 500 artists, including musicians, dancers, and opera stars, alongside ambassadors from various nations, all standing in solidarity with Vienna's artistic community.

The arts, often overlooked, are integral to society's fabric, shaping our collective identity and enriching our lives. They transcend language and borders, offering solace and inspiration in times of turmoil. By spotlighting Vienna's cultural legacy, I hope to instill a greater appreciation for the arts worldwide. Moreover, I've witnessed firsthand the resilience of artists in the face of adversity. Despite canceled performances and financial hardships, their unwavering passion for their craft fuels a newfound creativity. Their optimism is palpable, radiating hope through every photograph.

Through this project, I aim to educate future generations on the importance of the arts, advocating for its integration into education systems worldwide. By nurturing creativity and fostering appreciation for the arts, we can build a more empathetic and harmonious society.Ultimately, my goal is to spark dialogue and action, ensuring that the arts and artists are valued and supported in our modern world. Through interviews with artists globally, I seek to understand their experiences and explore solutions for securing the future of the arts.

In essence, this project is a testament to the resilience and vitality of the human spirit, as embodied by artists around the world. Their stories remind us of the transformative power of art and the boundless possibilities it offers for a brighter future."

 

Where Architecture Meets Sculpture: The Art of Jean Theron Louw

In this conversation, I speak with South African artist Jean Theron Louw, an architect whose true passion found its expression through sculpture.

Jean studied architecture at the University of the Free State and went on to build a career as an architect before finding her true passion in sculpture. Her architectural training and experience continue to play an important role in the way she approaches her art, from her understanding of structure, proportion and materials to the way she constructs the foundations of her sculptures. Moving from architecture into sculpture also gave Jean a new way to express her voice and explore the issues that matter deeply to her.

What makes Jean’s work particularly fascinating is the way her architectural background continues to influence her sculptures. She speaks about the importance of the base of a sculpture and how she can spend a great deal of time working on its measurements, proportions and ratios. Her understanding of materials, their properties and how they work together is also deeply connected to her training as an architect. It is wonderful to see how architecture and sculpture overlap in her practice, bringing together different skills and ways of thinking.

Jean also shares the deeply personal journey behind her African wild dog sculptures. In My African Wild Dogs. My Journey into My Inner Turmoil, she explores her relationship with the seriously endangered African wild dog, describing how she fuses with the animal and becomes part of it. This gives rise to her therianthropic wild dog, where the human and animal become intertwined. Through this work, Jean brings together her own inner world with the vulnerability of a species facing an uncertain future.


For Jean, sculpture is not simply about creating an object. It is a way of speaking, questioning and raising awareness. She shares some of the challenges faced by artists in South Africa, including the lack of governmental support for the arts, while also talking about her future projects and her desire to continue using her work to draw attention to issues that matter.

It was wonderful to hear Jean speak about the journey from architecture to sculpture and how the different disciplines in her life continue to inform and expand her artistic voice.


Every artist has a story worth hearing.


https://jeantheronlouw.co.za


If you've enjoyed The Artist's Voice, you're invited to support the project through https://buymeacoffee.com/petrasittig

Every coffee helps keep meaningful conversations with artists brewing.

Thanks for listening, watching, and cheering on the arts! 

The Inspiration by Keys of Moon | https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoon

Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ 


Where Architecture Meets Sculpture: The Art of Jean Theron Louw
Petra Sittig/Jean Theron Louw
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The artist's voicePetra SittigJean Theron Louw, south african artists, Sculpting