Press: Scars, a transformational journey through art

Scars, the true story of growing up with a deep wound and hiding from your own reflection, to painting all the pieces back together and discovering the treasure within, through art. This is a reflective journey playing with art and the developmental mysteries of the child, written and performed by Shelani van Niekerk

Go on a transformational journey from Egypt to Rome, from Rome to Romanticism, from Romanticism to Modern Art. Looking at the development of the child, combining art and drama with a touch of song and dance, come and witness this 'art in growing up’, and see how a young woman makes peace with her physical and emotional scars and learns through art history and her own life experience.

"Art is important for it commemorates a special or tragic event in ones own life journey - Clarissa Pinkola

Based on a process art course done at the ‘AfterImage’ studio in Stellenbosch. This local story is told in a creative way. This is something you have not seen before and this is a story you have not heard before. It is about dealing with loss as a young individual, the effect of that growing up, the challenges in stages of development and about reconnecting with the playfulness, the fun, the lightness and the wonder of being a child. A one woman play that is written to show the value of the developing child and the power of combining that with memory and art.

Shelani started her creative journey when she was very young and made up dances and sang songs with her cousins for her family’s entertainment. In her teens she performed in numerous dances and plays in youth. She studied at the Waterfront Theatre college for 4 years majoring in drama and musical theatre and graduating with LT practical in her majors, as well as advanced tap and gold jazz. She taught Drama in Stellenbosch Waldorf High School from June 2013 to November 2016, directing Shakespeare, teaching grade 8 to 12 drama, directing Grade 12 plays and preparing students for their University auditions.

It was during these 3 and a half years that Shelani would rediscover her passion for performing, something she lost after College. She discovered a few more passions, one of which is writing. Following her inspiration, she out her courage to the test and wrote. This year she has been performing her children’s show called ‘Reece’ at primary schools and has now joined Assitej : Theatre for Children and Young people to take her show to more schools and provinces. She has also been writing and developing ‘Scars: The art in growing up’. She launched a Healing Scars page on Facebook in June 2017. This page is directly connected with the play and a part of a bigger dream and aim. As she told Radio Helderberg during her woman’s month interview, she aims to empower and encourage women to also share their stories and find the treasures within. “I am following my dreams,” she says.

“As an artist and human being I believe 'my work' is to find the treasure. Then to engage my will and share those treasures through my own art. This is my play and my story. As we know, every story and play has a aim or a desired effect that the writer aims to have on his/her audience. My aim is to show the value of the developing child and the power of combining that with memory and art. To show the power of finding treasures within yourself, finding your own value and accepting your scars.”

Come and witness this 'art in growing up’, and see how a young woman makes peace with her physical and emotional scars and learns through art history and her own life experience. Scars runs at Alexander Upstairs, Alexander Bar, Café and Theatre from 27 to 30 November 2017 nightly at 9pm. Book online for R100 or pay R110 at the door.