Vendor Biography
Marius, a practicing architect by profession, finds both his passion and his challenge within the built environment. For him, a city is more than a collection of structures; it is a living entity, a complex tapestry of human needs, infrastructure, and the intangible spirit of a place. His journey into art was not a departure from his architectural roots, but rather a deeper engagement with them. Sketching, for Marius, became the essential language through which he could truly see and understand the world he was helping to shape.
His artistic path was nurtured by the early encouragement of his mother and profoundly shaped by the mentorship of the renowned artist and architect, Hannes Meiring. It was alongside Meiring, amidst the bustling platforms of Pretoria Station, that Marius first experienced the raw, vibrant energy of live urban sketching. He watched, mesmerized, as Meiring effortlessly translated the complex perspectives and chaotic human flow onto paper, a lesson that transcended mere technique and revealed the power of art to capture life in its most dynamic state.
Watercolour is Marius’s chosen medium, a choice that speaks to his fascination with immediacy and transformation. He describes the way tonal values can bring a subject to life as something akin to magic. This sense of wonder is something he generously shares, challenging himself and his students to regularly express what inspires them, fostering a discipline where technical skill and creative intuition grow hand in hand.
In his work, you will discover a recurring dialogue between light and shadow. He is drawn to the low, dramatic light of early morning or late afternoon, finding beauty in simple compositions and the moody atmospheres they create. From the grand scale of cityscapes to the intimate architecture of a leaf against a wall, Marius finds inspiration everywhere, reminding us that “beauty and art expressions are waiting to happen” all around us.
As you move through this collection, I invite you to see through his eyes. See the structure, but also feel the poetry. See the lines, but also the light. This is more than a collection of paintings; it is a journey into a way of seeing, a testament to a life spent observing, understanding, and celebrating the world in all its intricate beauty. Enjoy the journey.
Artist: Marius Badenhorst