The concentric circles in the centrepiece of this piece suggest expansion, progress and growth. A mind broadening. ‘The flapping of the wings of a butterfly can be felt on the other side of the world.’ Near the butterfly is a twig – which put me in mind of a holy branch from the oldest tree in Jerusalem. It is two thousand years old, that tree, with its roots in troubled soil. It has survived countless arguments and conflicts and wars. Perhaps, one day, it will bring peace.

Even then, though, when that desire has been fulfilled, there will still be death. It is the one constant for us all, whether we live in a time of peace and plenty, or a time of punishment. The brightest butterfly casts a shadow. The warmest sun eventually sets.

This awareness of a ‘dark side’ is a constant in my art, and is here represented by black velvet. Death surrounds us; we must grab life while our hands are strong and our hearts are generous. You can’t take those glittering, worldly coins with you when you die! We must shine.

Of course, grabbing something often means letting go of something else. I am certainly letting go of so much in this piece. My childhood toys, my ouma’s jewellery, things I have held on to – perhaps too tightly for too long. The scarab ascends! I am sharing. I am telling my story. I am casting my pearls, even if they’re before swine.

I feel that if we do not reveal ourselves fully – if we don’t free ourselves of the ‘shoulds’ of our lives – then we will simply repeat the same patterns of pain. Enter the same culs-de-sac. Beat our wings against the same glass windows. Don’t repeat! Reinvent! Don’t take. Give. Give. Give.

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Photography: Russel Smith / Text: Jonathan Bain