Blue Boy

Blue Boy, 2023

Gouache on paper
29.7 x 21cm

Austen Gordon

Austen Gordon (b.1987) completed her Btech in Interior Design at Tshwane University of Technology and since then worked as a designer, teacher and marketing manager. In 2023, Austen left her full time position to pursue painting and art full time.

Austen's work explores illustrative realism, wordplay and principles of aestheticism. She is often inspired by the written word, internal dialogues, juxtaposition of different worlds as well as ordinary scenes from life, such as food, architecture and functional objects.

She had her first solo show, titled 'About Nature' at The Ladder, Cape Town in 2023 and with favourable reception from the public

In Austen's words:

Towards the end of 2023, much transpired; both joyful and heartbreaking, challenging and freeing, and, in the midst of it all, I began to make flower paintings. I worked freely, choosing bold colours at whim, adding patterns and motifs to vases and tablecloths freehand and overall, extending my sketchbook play, outside of my sketchbook.

2024 is the start of opportunity and continued change; a chance to plant the seeds, and care for them; where I give myself time and space to take root, to flower and bloom. I am turning my face towards the sun. This is the (my) year of the flower.