Cher News

Studio 124 Collective is currently home to Kenya-born photographer Louisa Seton’s moving exhibition, Odyssey, which highlights the captivating Omo tribes at a time when western influences are just now making their way into the region.

Fascinated by tribal cultures and traditions and with a desire to photograph the Omo tribes for years, Louisa Seton made the journey to Ethiopia in April 2015.

“The Omo was especially dear to me because I knew that with the building of the Gibe III dam much change and development would come into the Omo region,” says Louisa.

As always, with progress comes change, and Louisa wanted to record these tribal groups before these customs were influenced by westernisation, which will take years. However, different attitudes towards the traditional practices were already apparent during her journey to the remote Omo region, and subtle change is already happening.

Louisa’s photographic exhibition, Odyssey, was launched at an exclusive benefit at Studio 124 Collective. Generously donated items were raffled on the night to raise funds and awareness of Nakuru Hope (a 100 percent not-for-profit registered charity). Fabulous prizes included an original artwork by international artist and founder of Studio 124 Collective, Cher van Schouwen, as well as a $1000 interior design consultancy voucher from HC Interiors, and a weekend for two at the beautifully appointed Hougoumont Hotel in Fremantle.

We caught up with Louisa to hear about her childhood in Africa and the places her photography has taken her around the globe…

Tell us a little about the journey you went on to create your latest body of works, Odyssey.
I had been tossing up the idea of going to Ethiopia for a number of years and felt a strong pull to go sooner rather than wait any longer, knowing the dam was complete. I knew the dam would affect the local tribal groups, displacing many and bringing with it controversial social and environmental impacts. I researched the region, found a guide and a driver, and went. It wasn’t the easiest journey to undertake but I managed to get to the Upper Omo, which is right on the border of South Sudan. It’s very remote and off the beaten track. It took three solid days of driving from Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, to reach that area.

How has your upbringing in Kenya influenced your work and the way you see the world?
Being raised in Nairobi, Kenya, I was surrounded by a rich tapestry of cultural diversity. Growing up in Africa, I had a fairly free childhood – I lived and interacted with a variety of different communities, which helped inspire a deep respect and ongoing curiosity for the people I encountered and the ways in which they live their lives. It helped that my dad is a bush pilot over there, and I got to explore remote parts of the country flying alongside him in his light aircraft.

Where has your work taken you around the world?
South America – from Colombia to Brazil, East and Southern Africa overland, parts of Europe, Cuba, Papua New Guinea, America, Australia and India.

What do you feel is unique about the way you work?
I interact closely with the people I encounter. Everyone has a unique story and even if it’s a simple one it’s important to them and I feel I am able to reveal their stories in my work. Maybe it’s the way they look at me, a glint in their eye. You need to build a trust with your subject before they open up to you and you can capture the essence of who they are in their portrait.

Biggest career moment?
I think when I was living in London after University and won the Travel Photographer of the Year competition: Face to Face portrait category. I got sent on my first assignment as the winner, which was photographing for the Brazilian Tourist Board. It gave me my first taste of being a travel documentary photographer and I loved it.

Who are your top influencers?
Definitely National Geographic photographer Steve McCurry. Also, Peter Beard who is a fantastic fine art photographer from the 50s. He is American but is heavily influenced by Africa.

If you could collaborate with anyone on any type of project, who would it be?
Steve McCurry – he photographed the Afghan Girl. He’s a great travel documentary photographer and I’d love to go into a remote region somewhere and just watch and learn how he interacts with his subjects, and observe his techniques to capture his remarkable photo stories.

Where can people in Perth see your work?
Studio 124 Collective, Mosman Park until April 20.

Louisa Seton
louisaseton.com.au

Nakuru Hope
nakuruhope.org

contemporaryau.com, 15 April 2015

A home for artists, students, designers, art buyers and lovers of good company, the Studio 124 Collective continues to surprise and impress as it celebrates its first anniversary.

It’s the type of place you walk in to and feel instantly welcome. It could be the beautiful window display of art or unique homewares and international antiques that reflect the individual creatives who make up the Collective. Most certainly due to the warm smile and friendly offer of a Studio tour from the woman behind the vision for Mosman Park’s Studio 124 Collective.

Artistic director Cher van Schouwen has enjoyed an incredible journey as an artist for the past 18 years and teaching in Australia for eight years.

“I have always believed that sharing ideas as an artist with other creatives can only keep our intent fresh and outlook on life humble,” says Cher.

With a vision to provide a beautiful place for her students to foster further discussions and develop friendships before and after class, Cher put into plan a communal workspace where everyone feels involved and welcome to experience, first hand, art in the making.

That workspace was found at 124 Wellington Street, where a picturesque central courtyard filled with lush greenery and a tranquil pond forms the backdrop to opportunities for socialising and collaboration amongst artists, customers, clients and passersby. It is home to other like-minded creative professionals that share the same ethos of integrity, enthusiasm and service excellence.

“I contacted Nick from Claremont Art Framers and Hilary and Holly from HC Interiors, and their immediate response was “YES!” I’ve found that when ones intentions are clear everything else falls into place – we feel so lucky to greet each other each day.

“The next step was to invite Richard from Birds Of Passage to join our Collective and Cecilia from Mila Jasmine Flowers to weave her floral magic throughout.”

So what is the winning formula for successful business owners sharing a space?

“The synergy within our Collective works so well because everything is done with a mutual love for what we each do, and a healthy respect for eachothers’ businesses. Positive cooperation is paramount,” explains Cher.

It’s only natural for a space this uplifting and with people so genuine to have received only positive feedback from the community. Offering a beautiful place to soak up, without any particular reason, the Collective is a decompression zone of sorts where everyone is most welcome.

“The other day a doctor in her scrubs ran in for a quick look to see what we were about. She got to the courtyard where the music quietly filled her soul, and she re-entered my the studio with a tear in her eye and thanked me.”

Not ones to sit still, the group has big plans for 2016 with Cher looking to offer an annual art retreat encompassing yoga, charcoal life drawing, market shopping, wine and food, as well as a possible expansion to design a gallery space in the South West.

HC Interiors is currently designing two new modern cafes in Subiaco, and decorating a gorgeous Hamptons-style beachfront home in Cottesloe as well as a rustic farmstead down south. The mother-daughter duo is also assisting Claremont Art Framers in the redesign of its Leura Avenue gallery space.

Birds of Passage has just recently completed a hugely successful 50 percent off mid-year sale where customers came down to meet the team, enjoyed a wine under the wisteria and perused the beautiful wares.

Be sure to take the time to check out this absolute gem – experience the buzz of creativity and excitement of a brand new day as doors are opened, flowers are arranged, painting buckets are filled and coffee is shared with neighbouring businesses and passersby.

contemporaryau.com, 1 July 2016
Photography: Zach Taylor Photography

For Cher van Schouwen, her home in an old hotel is a studio, a gallery and a classroom, as well as a place to live life to the full with her family and friends.
The western suburbs are known for their historic charm, but no home is quite like that of local artist Cher van Schouwen, who lives with her family in part of what used to be a well-known watering hole.

“I love the sense of community that living in a section of the old Mosman Park Hotel provides,” Cher says. “The ‘bones’ of the old hotel have been beautifully retained, and the finishings when we moved in were brand new and tastefully chosen.” With her artistic nature, it is no wonder that Cher has an eclectic mix of recycled objects, hard-to-find pieces and inherited items that, she explains, create a fresh take on traditional design.

“Through family and travel we have collected pieces from different eras, reflecting their owners’ lives and passions,” she says. “I want our home to refresh their story with warmth, personality and sophistication.”

The home, which is also used as Cher’s studio, has been painted in neutral and soft colours to allow her artworks and statement furniture pieces to stand out. “I put up new paintings at different stages of completion to live with while working on them and evolving them into special moments for another person’ home.” Cher says. “We enjoy a mix of antique furnishings, collectables and sentimental treasures form all over the world.”

“I love pre-loved vintage upholstery, applique, natural fibres and exciting, but no overwhelming, colour that energises our home in a beautiful ways.” “Our fleur-de-lis dining table and chairs that we inherited from my mother-in-law takes centrestage. It reminds me of long, happy family luncheons once enjoyed on their farm and it speaks of travel, European heritage and cultural identity.”

One of Cher’s favourite features in the home is the spiral staircase, which leads out from the garden to a 20 x 10m black and white tiled balcony, lined by the tops of her neighbour’s poplar trees. “I now use that balcony areas as my studio and for my painting classes and private exhibitions, so I get to enjoy it every day, and my students just love it too,“ she says
Cher explains that her home, shared with husband Adrian and two children, Taigh and Emma Rose, I definitely about family and love.

“It’s a creative space to live life, plus a gallery for my works, a studio and classroom for my art practice, and a space where we can bring people around us to celebrate friendships and enjoy a wonderful life,” she says.
“I am really not about current trends. Style to me is a personal thing and something that evolves through life experiences.”
“I draw from those different experiences and various styles and eras through time to make a home that is personal, comfortable, joyous and really reflects me and my family and our loves and passions.”

Alyesha Anderson
myStyle, Sunday Times, September 30 – October 6, 2012

Mosman Park artist and art teacher Cher van Schouwen is constantly inspired by the vibrancy of life, and of human beings in particular.
“My paintings have a sense of fun,” she said. I don’t want to be a painter who depicts morbid things.”
It’s no surprise then that Cher’s debut solo collection, to be shown at The Breathing Colours Gallery in Balmain, Sydney, with a preview exhibition at Nell’s Emporium in Mosman Park, is inspired by all things spring-time.

Paintings in the collection range from big, textural florals bursting with colour to more tonal landscapes and portraits with the focus on composition, subject and light.
Two such paintings are a set of portraits of former Olympic Waterpolo player Guy Newman, who coincidentally grew up in Balmain, where the collection is being shown.

Cher was inspired to paint Guy when she came across photos of him taken in 1992.
She contacted him to ask his permission, and was delighted when he agreed to the portraits and to attend the exhibition in September, and speak at the opening.

She said the portraits of Guy portrayed a combination of masculinity and fragility, that evoked varying emotions, depending on their interpretation.
“That’s a comment around all of my pieces; that they make you think,” Cher said.
Cher’s Breathing Colours collection has a special preview at Nell’s Emporium, 15 Glyde Street, Mosman Park, on August 21, from 6 o 8.30pm. It opens in September in Sydney.

The Post, 21 July 2012
Photo By: Paul McGovern

Mosman Park artist Cher van Schouwen has joined a bank to raise money for charity.

Cher hung a painting at the Cottesloe Westpac branch this week – Peonie and Chair is acrylic on linen and costs $3600.

“At any exhibition I like to help charity, so when Westpac asked if I’d be interested in having a painting here I thought it was a wonderful idea,” Cher said.

Branch manager Darren Curtis said the bank supported several charities, including the surf life saving rescue helicopter.

“We’re also supporting the YMCA’s Big Brother Big Sister initiative,” Darren said.

“It’s a youth mentoring program run by YMCA Perth that helps disadvantaged young people aged between seven and 17.”

Cher, whose art is inspired by photography, was an interior designer before she became an artist.

Among her clients is the Duke of Edinburgh. More Cher creations will be on the walls and for sale at the bank’s Claremont, Nedlands and University branches.

(Post Newspaper November 2012)

Rooms full of beautiful things awaited guests on Thursday evening as they walked through the cottage doors of the North Fremantle lifestyle concept store Blu Peter. Sipping on South African red wine, visitors to the official opening of the contemporary, soulful shop with a heavy textured and African influence nibbled no bites by Pink Zulu while admiring the wares sourced by store owner Adri-Ann Brown.

Born in Zululand in 1975, South African artist Cher now resides in Perth, Western Australia.

After her first sold-out exhibition in 1992, Cher has passionately invested in art both professionally and academically. She works closely from selected photography, including her own and those of accredited others. Her instinctual sense for beauty continues to capture hearts throughout the world, coupled with canvases which create personal moments that change and refresh with light and mood.

Cher’s canvases are prepared with sane and splashed colour. This creates a play on shadow and texture which drives her creative focus resulting in powerful, robust art pieces. There are definite elements of abstraction and detail in her style, but she is ultimately a representational painter.

The artist’s paintings are collected by some of the world’s top art aficionados and included in their collections. Her wondermentand intrigue with all things beautiful has seen her paintings grace resorts, restaurants and private gallery’s throughout Europe, the United States, South Aftrica and Australia.

Nominated as Artist of the Year by Fairlady Magazine in 2002, Cher continues to carve out a niche in the art industry because of her unique textural and colourblotch aestehetic.

CHER’s paintings are frequently recognized for their colossal impact, romance and righteous celebration of both subject and life.

Art lovers are in for a treat with the opening of Cher van Schouwen’s lively exhibition of works in oil on canvas from Friday. Her work vibrates with a refreshing joie de vivre as she explores self-contours, colours, space and balance in thick busy layers of colour and its evident that she paints for the pure love of art.
This self-trained  artist has been painting professionally for the last two and a half years and her work captured the attention of art-dealer Joshua Rossouw in 1998.
This has resulted in more and more art lovers being introduced to Rossouw’s “new discovery”. Her work is eagerly being added to collections all over the world and has already been commissioned by international art collectors.
Since leaving Zululand where she was born in 1975, Cher studied journalism at Rhodes University and completed an interior diploma course in Cape Town before marrying a Stanford farmer. On the farm, surrounded by breathtaking beauty of the fynbos, her creative energy knew no bounds and she started painting professionally, allowing her vivacious personality to spill onto the canvases in an explosion of patent enjoyment. It is these works that will be on exhibition at Gallery No 10 Harbour Road. The exhibition will be open daily from 9.30 – 5.00 until 1 February and should not be missed by serious art lovers.

Fairlady’s dream team for 2002 Cher van Schouwen Hermanus artist making big impressions locally and internationally