AGAC 2024 Top 25 Finalist - Marc Spook Mitchell - Tov me’od “Nkosisana”

“Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art” - da Vinci 

My name is Marc John Mitchell

Also known as “Spook” 

I was born in Durban and I am a self-taught artist, on the path to rediscovery through my art journey as a free spirit! From an early age, I found art in school and it gave me the means to hone in on it.

Currently, I am focusing on portraits and enjoy working closely with

Acrylics and mixed medium in my artworks on canvas, as well as digital and abstract works. 

Once I became aware of AGAC 2024 online, I was super keen to create an artwork fitting for this year’s theme! 

I have found it to be very enjoyable and rewarding in the process and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be able to participate and showcase my art alongside the many other great artists as well. 

For my submission, I was inspired by the old masters, with specific reference to one of the copies of Leonardo da Vinci. “Leda and the Swan” (Circa 1509+-).

Living within the context of the digital age, a new interpretation emerged, putting a contemporary spin on this classic depiction. With the concept of the African identity being explored, my artwork aims to capture within our own expression, a sense of truth in our own identity.   

‘We are fragile, yet wonderfully made” - The title of my work: Tov’ me‘ ode directly translated from Hebrew means ‘very good’. With the emphasis being on creation itself and harnessing our inner creativity, perhaps we are then able to connect humanity on a universal level. Through the power of spiritual awakening and transformation, the subject “Elizebeth”, boldly adorned in her traditional African attire and jewellery, as a young woman reimagined, speaks to the voice of pure freedom and the embodiment there of.

The juxtaposition of the swan with bird and figure invariably compliments the strange collective and the silence in any obscurity. (Note also the long grey feather, representative of our National bird, The Blue Crane.)

As we are described as the Rainbow Nation. The true colour harmonies are set to remind us of the many traditions and great diversity across our continent. The correlation between past and present tense, has given rise to our own sort of renaissance. Acknowledging our different backgrounds, cultural values and all that is intrinsic to our South African heritage.