Artist
​ - Ampersand
Ampersand, the elusive artist and poet in the realm of contemporary watercolours, is a name that resonates with an air of enigma and mystery.
This humble artist, whose identity remains mostly veiled, is an explorer of this mesmerizing and timeless medium, creating captivating works of watercolour art that transcend traditional boundaries.
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The artist invites viewers on a philosophical odyssey to experience the compelling world of watercolour and poetry, discovering the parallels between the media and life.
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The name Ampersand (the "&" symbol) holds its own secret. It symbolizes the connection, the unifying "and" that weaves through every element of watercolour art and poetry.
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In another sense, it speaks to the profound connection between contemporary art, the living canvas of our time, and the human soul, highlighting the notion that each observer views the art through a unique lens, where no two stories are the same.
Untethered by formalized education in art, Ampersand paints and writes with the emotions and sentiments of each passing day. Works emerge as intricate manifestations of artistic flow in the ever-changing and poignant landscape of contemplations, meditations, and observations that interweave themselves into the very essence of the art.
Style & Technique
The artist's dedication to experimentation gives rise to works that challenge the boundaries of water-colour, pushing the medium to its limits and challenging conventional watercolour wisdom.
While traditional watercolours may rely on five to seven layers, Ampersand delicately applies up to 60 layers in various hues, values, and intensities.
Ampersand uses both transparent and opaque pigments to conjure layers of depth and luminosity. ​These pigments react dynamically with each other, their intensity shifting as they mingle on the surface.
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Techniques like the gentle kiss of wet-on-wet and the patient building of wet-on-dry work harmoniously together. The flat, graded, and variegated washes, as well as the charging of delicately constructed visuals, create transitions that breathe, inviting audiences to explore and lose themselves in a labyrinth of revelations.
​Ampersand's art is not a static image but a living, breathing testament to the power of art to surpass time and awaken emotion. Each piece tells a story, and each stroke carries a message, beckoning you to embark on a poetic voyage of interpretation, a quiet move into the heart of contemporary watercolour art.
The artist encourages viewers to consider that life's most beautiful and vibrant moments arise when we relinquish control and allow the unexpected to happen.
The beauty of custom art
Artistic Vision
Ampersand offers a contemporary voice in abstract watercolour, where pigment and poetry entwine. Each painting is accompanied by words that extend the visual journey—poems that echo the colours, deepen the emotions, and invite the viewer into another layer of storytelling.
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The verses do not merely describe; they resonate, reflecting the spirit of the artwork itself and opening a space for connection beyond the canvas.
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Whether presented as a separate document or handwritten upon the piece, the poem becomes a companion—an intimate whisper that lingers alongside the art, enriching its presence and meaning
Quality Materials
The finest Royal Talens' Dutch pigments are used to ensure superior quality that deliver luminous and vibrant colours.
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The surfaces offered are paper (up to size A3) and canvas (A2 +).
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Paper:
Arches paper crafted in France are used, made with traditional methods from 100% long cotton fibres, giving it a beautiful natural whiteness, a soft yet sturdy texture, and outstanding strength.
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Canvas:
Premium-quality hand stretched 260gsm high-performance polyethylene terephthalate watercolour canvases are used that remains tight, flat, and stable over time.
Each canvas is securely stapled and mounted onto a rigid high-density fibreboard, minimizing exposure to warping, sagging, or accidental damage. This robust construction ensures exceptional stability (ideal for coastal conditions), making the canvas suitable for direct wall display.
Personalized Service
Each piece of bespoke artwork is meticulously designed to breathe life into your interior, making a unique statement that reflects your character. If your furniture, soft decor, or wallpaper aren’t quite achieving the desired effect, Ampersand's art service can introduce a fresh, modern atmosphere to complete your decor.
The process begins with a personalized consultation, either remotely or in person. This will explore your space and style to ensure the bespoke art that is created resonates uniquely with you.
Once the quotation is approved, your project will commence, subject to studio’s production capacity. Projects typically take up to 6 weeks to complete.
For larger scale orders, such as those for interior decorators and project managers, lead times depend on the scale and specific requirements of the project.
Artworks
Iconic private and commercial commissions that have found their way into cherished spaces.
The artist's poetry is written from raw emotion, taking the viewer on a journey when viewing the art.
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Each piece written bespokely for the accompanying artwork,
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The artist's poetry is written from raw emotion, taking the viewer on a journey when viewing the art.
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Each piece is written bespokely for the accompanying artwork.
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"What are we?
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Watercolour pigment and pen on canvas
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A0 Triptych with poem
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ZAR 30 000 ea / R90 000 set of 3
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Euro 1500 each / 4500 set of 3
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SOLD
What are we?
Islands cloaked in mist,mirroring, fleeting Harbours without shore,graciously bleeding
Ocean tides swooning, ceremonially dancing
Calmness expanding, exhaling,
then weeping
Constellations uncharted, repeatingrepeating
More mystique, different, except the same
Lingering beyond sightno weight,
no name,
no shame
Through the visceral lens, a layering
Veils of the sky revealing, shadows shifting
Never certain of what light is concealing
The hymns of nostalgia incarnating,
even a hush,
interrogating
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Life’s blooms suspended, unassuming
Like veins of the earth,
slithering
Organisms real, rambling, breathing, unaware of
trembling
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Ash, coals, fire, exclaiming
Murdered embers, shrouded in the dark
Glimpses telling, igniting
unyielding and
frightening
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With a deafening wail, atoms splittingI
nsouciantly expecting
encore
Holes in the nether, dripping
Uncomfortably begging for more
Scattered minds, consciously searching
Propulsive thoughts, rising, rebelling
An interrogation so cruelly ambiguous
Violently provoking,yet
utterly sensuous
In a fleeting moment,homeless faces are crying and calling
Theatrically begging for a midnight storytelling
Like mouthless rivers, flowing elegantly, indefinitely
Balance is trying to heal it all,
beautifully
Humming from the deep, questioning, doubting
Pebbles whispering
Are we falling or climbing?
What are we?
Only you can feel
Only you can see
Eternally
-Ampersand
"Are we climbing or falling?
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Watercolour pigment and pen on paper
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A0 Diptych
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ZAR 30 000 ea / R60 000 set of 2
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Euro 1500 each / 3000 set of 2
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SOLD
"A-Eye: A Binary Odyssey"
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Watercolour pigment and pen on paper
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Series of A3 works with poems
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Euro 500 each
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SOLD
