Biography of Veronica Coetzer
Veronica Coetzer
Conceptual Artist & Photographer
Veronica Coetzer is a distinguished portrait, landscape, and wildlife photographer, born and raised in Pretoria, South Africa. Her journey into the world of photography began at the age of 14, where she quickly garnered recognition for her unique approach to studio-based portraiture. This early passion for photography was complemented by a deep commitment to nature and wildlife, prompting her to lead photographic safaris across various African countries and even venture as far as Alaska in pursuit of her artistic vision.
Over the course of her 40-year career, Veronica's work has been showcased in numerous exhibitions both locally and internationally. These exhibitions are often accompanied by speaking engagements where she shares insights into her life and artistic journey. As her career progressed, Veronica developed an extra-sensory perception that inspired her to explore surrealist expression. In this innovative art form, she recontextualises images, assembling them into frameworks influenced by her dreams. The resulting composites are often paradoxical and esoteric, provoking thought and evoking deep emotional responses, while consistently delivering a dynamic artistic impact.
In addition to her artistic endeavours , Veronica is known for her philanthropic contributions, generously donating her artworks to various charities and wildlife conservation projects. She has also collaborated with the Worldwide Indigenous Science Network (WISN) for seven years, engaging in Dreamwork in locations such as Chartres, France; Egypt and the Netherlands
Veronica, now nearly 65 years old, is actively engaged in her project, Legacy Stories, which focuses on documenting the personal, family, and business histories of her clients through photographic art. In addition to this project, she explores the subconscious and creates conventional artworks using various mediums such as aluminium , glass, wood, and textiles, aimed at enhancing interior spaces in homes and offices. She lives in Pretoria with her husband, Lou Coetzer, who is a renowned wildlife photographer. Veronica's artistic endeavours reflect her deep passion for capturing both the beauty of the world and the intricacies of human experiences.
Artist Statement
Since I was a little girl, dreams had an impact on my life.
I was a very quiet child, and never learned how to express in words my dreams, fears and feelings.
I had a scary recurring dream around the age of 6 or 7 and I can still remember it to this day. My mother asked me about this dream at the time, as it was more of a nightmare, and it always left me upset. I remember that I could only explain to her that I was seeing colors and I tried to explain what I now know was textures.
Nobody knew the fact that in that period of time I was molested / abused by my grandfather. When I was 16 years old I had meningitis, and I was drifting in and out of consciousness. Some of the elements in image 2 was what my family told me that I said and did while in that state. I also have vivid memories of dreams during the illness.
After my father passed away in 2005, actually, the day my father died, I was ready to
tell the story of my life, of why I was always quiet, and why I was sick most of the time. I had no words and had to make pictures.
Most images that I have created came to me in dreams. Some after hypnotherapy sessions. Sometimes I would create an image, not really knowing exactly what I was trying to say, but then after some time I would dream of the image and the answer would become clear. Many of my dream artworks are layered. On the surface it would seem that it was inspired by music or a song, or poetry. It would make it easier for me to tell people what it was about, should they ask, as it was still very difficult, mostly impossible to open up about the deeper underlying meanings. Some of it have a third hidden meaning, and I would use an element to symbolize that. One of the artworks have never been disclosed to anyone before. It is the dream that I mentioned I had as a very young child with the colors and textures.
When, in 2008, I was asked to talk about the art that I have created, I had to write it down in words for myself. This is some of what I wrote:
“It is about being a child and being a parent. About being a lover. To love and to be loved. The joy and sorrow of life. The devastation of denying oneself to mourn loss.
How embracing pain can relieve hurt. The maze to make sense of, the masks to discard. To forgive to be able to heal.”
I recently had the incredible experience of dreaming of a collective dream artwork that I have done of other people’s dreams. I could see myself walk inside the artwork, and through some of the images. I loved that!
Through dreams and making pictures I have arrived at a place of gratitude and complete forgiveness of my grandfather. I love how my life experiences shaped me to now make pictures of other people’s dreams.