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Brianna Lance in New York

Written By Fiona Mackay - August 08 2019

Creative Director Brianna Lance in New York

Photography by Natalie Marie Gehrels

Creative director, musician, artist, editor, muse—Brianna Lance’s prolific creativity can’t be confined to any one medium or style. From once heading up design at Reformation to contributing to cult magazine So It Goes, or putting on sporadic exhibitions of her otherworldly watercolors—everything Brianna does, she does with the air of a modern day New York ingenue.

But beyond the stylish, it-girl aura of Brianna is a soulful sweetness loved by her friends, evident in her work as an artist—and also tangible within the grounded, plant-filled space she creates to live, dance and paint in.

We photographed Brianna in Brooklyn, wearing pieces from the summer 2019 collection, and learned about her love for Oprah, English Ivy, and afternoons.

What is your favorite time of the day? Afternoons.

When are you happiest? When I am painting.

Can you show us a picture of a painting you are working on at the moment?

What is the last plant you bought for your home? An English Ivy for my bedroom.

If you could invite any 4 people to a casual Sunday supper, who would they be? I just really want to have dinner with Oprah. And cultivate more scientist friends.

Is there a particular cause you feel strongly about and support? So many, Planned Parenthood and No More Plastic are ones I have done projects to raised money for.

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Nabeeha Mohamed: Studio Visit

Written By Fiona Mackay - August 03 2019

Artist Nabeeha Mohamed in Cape Town

Photography by Ané Strydom

South African artist Nabeeha Mohamed’s whimsical, saturated works depict an enchanted view of her daily life. Parked cars, cigarettes and flowers, portraits of friends and their unique accessories are rendered in a discordant style that impresses a feeling of melancholic strangeness on the viewer.

Currently preparing for a solo show at SMITH, a gallery for emerging contemporary artists in Cape Town, we photographed Nabeeha at work in her studio wearing pieces from the permanent collection. Below she answers a few questions on life, work and happiness.

What is your favorite time of day? Early mornings when it is quiet and it feels like most of the city is still sleeping.

When are you happiest? When I’m with my dog, Chloe. And when I’m swimming in the sea.

What is the most precious object in your studio? Years ago my father brought back two tiny paintbrushes from India for me - one made from the hair of a squirrel’s tail and the other from camel’s eyelashes. They feel too precious to ever be used!

What is the last thing you painted? I like to work on several paintings simultaneously and can often work on 3 or 4 different canvases in one day, so it’s a little difficult to say!

Where was the last place you traveled? I spent two months in Brazil in 2017 – one month on the island of Ilhabela on an art residency and the second month doing some solo-travelling working my way up the coast.

Who is another artist that inspires you? There are too many to name just one! But I suppose I will go with an old favourite, Agnes Martin. Martin pursued a sort of perfection in her work which is definitely not something my practice tends towards, but her musings on the subject of beauty, her solitary and incredibly focused practice which has often been described as monk-like and her ability to be un-swayed by trends in the art world are among some of the reasons I admire her and her work. Of course it doesn’t hurt that her paintings are painstakingly beautiful too.

What led you to become an artist? I’ve never been sure which I love more – making art or looking at other artist’s work. I suppose its an obsession with both that makes me feel like being an artist is perhaps the only thing I can do with utter conviction.

Photo credit for Agnes Martin images

Alexander Liberman, Agnes Martin with level and ladder, 1960. Alexander Liberman Photography Archive, Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles. © J. Paul Getty Trust

Agnes Martin, Thus Rain, 1960

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Lucie & Michael: Studio Visit

Written By Fiona Mackay - March 14 2019

Artists Lucie & Michael at Chandler House

Photography by Ané Strydom

Artists and creative collaborators Lucie de Moyencourt and Michael Chandler work alongside each other at their studios within Chandler House—a gallery and store in the heart of Cape Town, curated by Michael and showcasing the work of local artists and artisans. The pair share a similar, seemingly inexhaustible joie de vivre and boundless work ethic, as well as a love for illustration and ceramics – mediums they combine in the large-scale tiled mural commissions they often work on together.

We photographed the charismatic duo in Karu at the end of last year as they prepared for a show of ceramics – Michael’s ‘Afrochine’ vases and Lucie’s Seashells – and asked them to answer some questions about themselves and each other, to see quite how close these two friends and studio neighbors are...

When are you / {Lucie/Michael} happiest

Lucie:

Finding good shells is definitely one of my favorite pastimes. Also swimming in the sea, eating lots and lots of popcorn or pasta, and sketching for myself.
Michael likes sharding, or shell collecting, I think shell collecting tops sharding (sharding is our made up word for finding shards of old ceramics).

Michael:

I’m happiest when I am sharding (looking for shards of ancient blue and white porcelain) in very old vineyards.
Lucie is happiest when she is at a party and drawing scenes of it in one of her notebooks. She gets to be creative and social at the same time—a true gemini!

What is your / {Lucie’s/Michael’s} favourite time of day?

Lucie:

Early morning first thing! That’s when I’ve have quiet time and listen to my audiobooks, make my ceramic shells and drink coffee.
Michael loves the evenings because that’s when he goes up the mountain or drinks wine and eats Clarkes chips!

Michael:

I never thought I’d say this, but I love the morning! I wake up and make a moka pot of coffee, which I drink out of the finest 19th Century porcelain tea cup. I turn on a German opera radio station and then begin to draw or paint some ceramic commission. It sounds naff but it’s the best way to start the day.
Lucie’s favourite time of the day is probably the morning too. In the mornings before work, Lucie likes to create new ceramic shells while she sips away at her back coffee.

What is your / {Lucie’s/Michael’s} favourite plant of flower?

Lucie:

Mine is a Palm tree.
Michael’s are whatever flowers are on the Arita plate (he keeps drawing them over and over.)

Michael:

I am obsessed with Prickly Pears (Opuntia) at the moment!
Lucie doesn’t like flowers that much - so I’d have to say her favourite member of the plant kingdom is a tree - a palm tree.

What phrase or word do you / {Lucie/Michael} say all the time?

Lucie:

Me: “Don't Fill the hole!”
Michael: “Fill the hole!”

Michael:

Me: “Who put this into the rubbish bin? It can be recycled!”
Lucie: “Stuh-ninnnnng!"

What do you love most about sharing a studio space with each other?

Lucie:

Michael is hilarious and inspiring, there is never a dull moment as we are both constantly trying to shape our practice and deal with clients, commissions, exhibition etc so it’s invaluable to have him as my friend to bounce around with ( especially after litres of coffee, then we are literally bouncing and listening to the Matilda soundtrack together!)

Michael:

Constant positivity, constant critical feedback, constant support, constant laughter! My work and world is so much better because of our proximity.

Chandler House is located at 53 Church Street, Cape Town. Follow @chandlerhousect and @mrchandlerhouse on Instagram.

Lucie is preparing for her second show of ceramic shells, opening April 1^st. Follow @lucie.in.wonderlands for her adventures in Cape Town and soon Cannes, where she will be sketching the everyday activities of the annual film festival.

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Jackie & The Karoo

Written By Fiona Mackay - November 13 2018

An Afternoon with Jackie Burger At Her Karoo Retreat

Photography by Ané Strydom

A photo of a sparsely decorated room in Jackie Burger’s home in the Karoo was a central image in the initial moodboard for Karu. In it, a cast iron stove, a button-tufted linen daybed, and dried flora hanging from the whitewashed walls— a scene at once beautiful, timeless and nostalgic. So we were delighted to have the chance to photograph the founder of Salon 58— a modern interpretation of the 18th century French ‘Salonniere’— and former South African ELLE Editor-in-Chief, at her weekend retreat in the charming Karoo hamlet of Prince Albert.

From her influential work in South Africa’s creative industries to her appreciation of the country’s natural beauty and abundance, Jackie moves effortlessly between the hectic world of fashion and the remote, gentle lifestyle of the Karoo.

What does the Karoo represent to you?
Solace. Space. Sparsity. Solitude.

How long have you had your home there?
About 10 years. My first encounter with Prince Albert was one of “homecoming”; seeing my home the first time I felt an indescribable sense of belonging.

You founded Salon 58 nearly 4 years ago now – what keeps you inspired to reinvent the concept?
The legacy of the original Parisian salons and their contribution to cultural growth and society at large. Practicing the true art of conversation, hosting inspirational gatherings and collaborating with creatives.

Describe your business philosophy.
Practicing a value system of honesty, integrity and authenticity. Following my intuition and having the courage of conviction to be true to yourself. Celebrating the duality of success and perceived failure. Kindness all around.

Salon58 #Trace – A banquet table and a 1000 candles captured by Daniella Zondag (December 2017)

What is your favorite moment in the day?
I am a morning person with a love for rituals, which most often involve morning pages, meditation and a very good espresso…. a few sun salutations if time allows, and always a scented candle or two.

When are you at your happiest?
Reading.

Share a quote that embodies your philosophy about creating a home.
“Home is our emotional heartland – a place to restore our balance” ~ Ilse Crawford.

What is the last thing you bought or made for your home?
Prayer Flags.

What is the last book you read?
A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle.

What is your favorite colour of the Karoo?
Cracked riverbed in slate reminds me of our impermanence and the Karoo’s ancient existence.

What places do you like to stop along the road to Prince Albert?
I love Farm stalls and have a few favourites on route to sample fresh seasonal produce as well as pantry staples such as jams, pickles and preserves.

What is your favorite Spring dish to cook at home in the Karoo.
I rely on fresh produce from the local market and Spring/Summer will most often be alfresco dining on the stoep over generous platters of salads, flat breads and cheese from Gay’s Guernsey Dairy. The abundance of beautiful olives, fresh figs and pomegranates calls for the simplest of dishes with very little effort.

Who is a favorite artist or designer currently working in SA at the moment?
I love FRANCES V.H Mohair Rugs* - celebrating her heritage and practicing sustainability in her craft.
*See Frances' collaboration with Karu here.

Please share an image of what you consider to be an iconic style moment.
It's hard to settle on one. However, this Georgia O' Keeffe image will always remain a favourite.

Where do you plan to travel in the next few months?
No surprises…the Karoo, and also Namibia to visit my brother.

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Jenna & Ruby

Written By Fiona Mackay - May 11 2018

Meet mother and daughter duo, Jenna and Ruby, at home in Cape Town.

Photography by Ané Strydom

For our very first Karu Story, and in celebration of Mother’s Day, we introduce mother and muse Jenna Pietersen and her daughter, Ruby. Most recognizable from her work in glossy fashion editorials, Jenna is also a garden designer, and, outside of modeling, spends most of her time working with plants or on road trips to wild and far flung places with Ruby (as evidenced by her lush and beautiful Instagram account).

We spoke to Jenna about her own memories of childhood, life at home with Ruby and the importance of seeing daily sunsets in summer.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Paarl and moved to Cape Town as soon as I left High School. My travels started immediately and I travelled the world alone for 6 years. We moved to this house when I was 9 months pregnant with Ruby, so it's 6 years now.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I wake up around 5:30/6am for no reason, I think it's because I fall asleep when I put Ruby to sleep at night. I make coffee and write, and try my best not to look at Instagram... I fail horribly at this. I get Ruby ready for school, drop her off and maybe pick up a quick healthy breakfast smoothie, or I make it at home. Then I do either a Power Yoga class or go to the gym. I started designing gardens which I love, so I spend a lot of my time at nurseries or reading up on plants and visiting sites. Most of the time one of my staff doesn't show up, so I get dirty and do the work myself.

What is your favorite time of the day?

After 5pm. In summer we always go to the beach for sunset, it's my favorite time of the year. I live in Tamboerskloof so the sun sets earlier here—I feel extremely restless if I don't see the sunset in Summer.