ARABELLA CACCIA
(b. 1965 London, U.K.)

Although born in London, Caccia grew up in Tuscany before moving to Johannesburg, where she spent her teenage years. She studied at Edinburgh University after which she lived and studied in Florence, London and New York.  She returned to South Africa in 1990 where she lives and works in Cape Town.

Caccia draws inspiration from the people, places and objects around her; from the light where she lives and the wilderness where she goes to find peace and silence. The feeling of quiet and perhaps stillness in the work reflects the ambience she creates around her, in order to find inspiration and access her creativity.

“I firmly believe that the energy and focus put into making a work, a deep meditative concentration,produces work of honesty and integrity, with a powerful energy.  It is the process which is of utmost importance.” says the artist.

Caccia’s recent work is inspired by an exploration of patterns found in the play of light and dark on natural forms. Her paintings and sculptures use an abstract language of semi-symbolic glyphs discovered in these patterns. The primary principal underpinning her work is the belief in the importance of process. Caccia’s paintings and sculptures use an alphabet of glyphs derived from an investigation into forms found in nature. She uses an alphabet of both 2 and 3- dimensional mark making to express a state of being.

Caccia’s work has most recently found expression through the study of trees, first the Baobab tree studied in Botswana followed by work in the ancient Milkwood forests of the Western Cape and then the Tsitsikamma forest biome. Her exploration has included detailed drawings of plants and trees followed by a thorough investigation into the patterns created by the bark formations of various indigenous trees. Drawing, taking moulds and printing has lead to uncovering of an alphabet of glyphs which are found in all forms and which when further abstracted form a script like visual language. Caccia uses these universal forms to recreate two and three dimensional works that by their intrinsic universality aim to create experiences that echo those of nature herself.

By steeping herself in un-spoiled expanses of the planet Caccia seeks to deepen her exploration into the plant kingdom, rock and land formations, and so refine and challenge the language and the expression of her work.

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2024
To Lake Tanganyika and Back, Everard Read, Franschhoek, South Africa

2021
CONSTELLATION, solo exhibition, Everard Read, Franschhoek, South Africa
SUMMER, Everard Read, London, UK

2020
Bronze, Steel, Stone & Bone, Everard Read, London, UK

2019
Southern Aspect - A Group Exhibition, Everard Read, London, UK 

2018
Without Words, Everard Read, Franschhoek, South Africa
Summer Exhibition, Everard Read, London, UK

2017
20th Anniversary, Knysna Fine Art, South Africa

2017
Cubicle series, Everard Read/ Circa, Cape Town, South Africa

2015
The Gallery at Grande Provence, Franschhoek, South Africa

2012
InToto Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

2012
Roedean School, Johannesburg, South Africa

2011
Caccia and Abraham, The White House, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

2011
Group show, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa

2010
Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa

2010
Group show, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa

2006
Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa

2003
Judith Wall and Sara Pearce Fine Art, New York

2002
Spark Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

2000
Sara Pearce Fine Art, London, UK

1999
Sara Pearce Fine Art, London, UK

1998
Hamilton Russell Vineyards, Hermanus, South Africa

1995
Karen McKerron Fine Art Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

1994
Karen McKerron Fine Art Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

1993
Chelsea Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa

1991
Mall Galleries, London, UK

AWARDS:

1995
Vita Art Now, Johannesburg Art Gallery South Africa – selected artist