Ginnie Van Meester's artwork reflects deep emotions
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Tuesday June 3, 2025 09:44
In an interview with Arts&Culture, she explained that, as an art teacher with over 19 years of experience, she is committed to empowering others through creativity. She added that she creates expressive, emotionally resonant visual art, mostly portraiture and figurative work that explores identity, healing, womanhood, and African heritage.
She also said her work often combined realism with abstract elements, blending vivid colours and layered symbolism to convey stories that words alone cannot. “Art has always been my language, a safe space where I could process pain, joy, and transformation.After surviving physical trauma and emotional hardship, art became not just a passion but also a means of survival and healing. I am inspired by people’s stories, especially those often silenced or forgotten. I did art all my life, and hold a Diploma in Art Education from the Molepolole College of Education (MCE),” she said. While she studied art formally and informally over the years, Ginnie Van Meester said much of her growth came from practice, teaching, and sheer devotion. She added that she painted daily for years, adding that each canvas taught her something new. She also said she continued to learn from her students and fellow artists. Furthermore, she said art chose her. Despite life’s many detours and hardships, Ginnie Van Meester says she always found her way back to the canvas since it is her calling. She explained that no other path gave her the same sense of purpose or power to impact lives, including her children’s. She also pointed out that people react with emotions whenever they see her artworks, while others are inspired by her themes and signature colour schemes. Many say that they feel empowered by her work. She added that it has been humbling for her to receive recognition both locally and internationally, and to see how art truly connects people across experiences and borders.
Speaking of one of her most memorable pieces, she said it was a portrait of a woman wrapped in elements of both struggle and triumph, saying it was selected for an all-female exhibition titled Women’s Voices in Mental Health. She said it represented her journey, and the journey of countless women who are fighting to be heard. “One of the biggest challenges has been navigating a male-dominated industry where women’s work is often overlooked, undervalued, or boxed into certain expectations. It takes twice the effort for one to be taken seriously or offered opportunities, even when your work speaks for itself. There is also the issue of inconsistent sales. Many people admire art but hesitate to invest in it, especially from local female artists. Financial sustainability can be difficult to maintain, even with recognition and exposure. Despite these hurdles, I have learned to be resilient and to keep showing up with authenticity and strength,” Ginnie Van Meester stated. Speaking of her achievements, she pointed out that her work has been exhibited nationally and sold internationally in the US, Germany, Tanzania, South Africa, and Namibia. She has showcased at the US Embassy Market, the Northern Business Botswana Trade Fair, the national consumer fair and has been interviewed by major media houses. She also said she was selected to lead government art workshops and was currently exhibiting in a show focused on national heritage, a theme close to her heart.
She also exhibited at the Bagaka ba Pele exhibition at Thapong Visual Arts Centre. “I have previously exhibited in Women’s Voices in Mental Health, another matter I feel strongly about. I am a regular at the Clifton Annual Exhibition. I hope to have a solo exhibition soon. I envision publishing a national art documentation book to preserve and promote our country’s art. I see my work being studied in schools, sold globally, and used as a tool of healing and education. I also hope to build sustainable platforms for young and marginalised artists,” she stated. Ginnie Van Meester is an art educator and a mother. She said balancing these roles takes careful planning and inner strength, but each aspect of her life feeds into the other. She said children and students inspired much of her work, adding that she made time for both with love and intention. Her advice to upcoming artists is that they must be true to their voice. She said they must create boldly and consistently, even when support is scarce. She also urged them to understand that their art is valid, powerful, and needed. She also advised them to invest in their skill, and not wait for permission to shine.