GRACE DA COSTA

(b.1955, Johannesburg)

Grace D Costa studied graphic design at the Johannesburg College of Art and worked as a graphic designer for close on twenty years. Frustrated by the demands of clients, computers and commercialism, she started sculpting and painting. She uses the lost wax process for her sculptures and also explores oil painting and mixed media in her work.  She has exhibited extensively across South Africa and the United Kingdom.

 “A large proportion of my current work stems mainly from my involvement with running a life-drawing class from my home studio. During the class I make sketches of the model. These form a starting point from which a work may develop. Once alone in my studio I manipulate and expand the initial image through a process of repeated application and subtraction. The plastic qualities of the medium, composition, contrast, surface tension and texture are all elements that are considered and explored.  

I do not start with a fixed concept in mind. The concept evolves during the process of experimentation and development. A painting is often reworked and changed over an extended period. I prefer to articulate my thoughts visually rather than verbally. The process is an attempt at organizing and understanding information, exploring confusion and trying to resolve personal concerns. The paintings are a record or reflection of what I am exposed to in daily life, in the media and in society — somewhat like a ‘collage’ of thoughts, experience and process. Man’s perception of reality, the transience of life, belief in an afterlife, notions of good and evil, religion, power and gender are universal human issues which inform my interpretation.

The act of painting, drawing or sculpting, provides immediate gratification, somewhat like a child playing with mud: squish it around and see what happens! The whole process stimulates the senses. Textures, colours, shapes, marks — so many things can be done. Proceeding to manipulate, distort or even destroy the image. Expressing one’s immediate emotions, concerns or opinions, without having to consider another being. Pure self-indulgence”- Grace Da Costa

SOLO EXHIBITIONS 

2009    
Grace Da Costa - Painter/Sculptor, Dawid Ras, Johannesburg

2008     
Dislocated? Transposed? , Gordon Froud, Johannesburg

2002    
Point of Departure, Alliance Francaise, Johannesburg

2001    
State of Grace, Lennox Gallery, London 

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2021
Offering, Everard Read, Franschhoek, South Africa

2020
IMAGO, Everard Read, Franschhoek, South Africa
Journeys of the Mind, Everard Read, Franschhoek, South Africa

2019
Everard Read- Franschhoek 
Knysna Fine Art- Knysna

2008 - 2017 
Everard Read, Franschhoek
Iart -Cape Town
Knysna Fine Art- Knysna
The Gallery at Grande Provence- Franschhoek
Dawid Ras – Johannesburg - Pretoria - Oudtshoorn – Cape Town
David Brown Fine Arts – Johannesburg

2007    
Absa - Flesh - Oudshoorn
Carol Lee Fine Art - Johannesburg
Dawid Ras – Johannesburg - Pretoria - Oudtshoorn – Cape Town
Innerspace Art – Johannesburg
Rooms with a View - Sandton 
David Brown Fine Arts - Johannesburg 

2006    
Wolseley Gallery - London 
Carol Lee Fine Art - Johannesburg
Dawid Ras – Johannesburg , Bloemfontein, CT, Potchefstroom 
Innerspace Art – Johannesburg 

2005    
Carol Lee Fine Art- Johannesburg
Zuva Gallery-Melrose Arch- Johannesburg
Crake Gallery- Johannesburg
Wolseley Gallery-London 
The White House Gallery- Johannesburg
Dawid Ras – Johannesburg & Bloemfontein
Innerspace Art – Johannesburg 

2004 
Zuva Gallery-Melrose Arch- Johannesburg 
Crake Gallery- Johannesburg
Reflection-Carol Lee Fine Art- Johannesburg
Wolseley Gallery-London  

2003    
Repositioning – RAU – Johannesburg
Sidibeng Sa Limpho - Soan Studio – London
Unearthed – The Enniskerry Gallery – Ireland
Inscape – Upstairs @ Bamboo – Johannesburg
Carol Lee Fine Art – Johannesburg
Wolseley Fine Art – London
Crake Gallery – Johannesburg 

2002    
Wolseley Fine Art – London
Chelsea Arts Fair – London
Crake Gallery – Johannesburg 

2001    
Wolseley Fine Art – London
Crake Gallery – Johannesburg
Gallery 101.3 – Johannesburg

1996-2000     
Crake Gallery – Johannesburg
The Johannesburg Arts Foundation – Johannesburg
Chris Tugwell Gallery – Pretoria
Hyde Park Gallery – Johannesburg
The Everard Read Gallery – Johannesburg 

COLLECTIONS
President Thabo Mbeki – Presidential Office - Cape Town
The University of Bloemfontein – Rectors Office 
J.A.Malan en Genote – Johannesburg
Prof. G.S. Pegram – Durban (Prof. Civil Engineering, University of Natal)
Prof. Van Rensburg – (Pretoria)
Prof. Henk Kriek – RAU - Johannesburg
Prof. Frederik Fourie - Bloemfontein
Johan Roodt Inc. Johannesburg
David Muirhead – Johannesburg (Architectural & Interior Design)