About

 

 

Carla Raads is an international contemporary artist whose work transcends traditional boundaries between seascape, landscape, and abstract expressionism. Born along the untamed Eastern Cape coast of South Africa, her formative years were shaped by the raw dialogue between ocean and earth—an elemental conversation that continues to resonate throughout her dynamic body of work.

Raads' artistic practice is deeply rooted in a visceral, phenomenological approach to painting. Her signature technique involves a direct physical engagement with the canvas, using her hands as primary instruments to channel the kinetic energy of natural forces. This corporeal method of creation results in works that pulsate with an almost tangible vitality, earning her recognition from prestigious brands and collectors worldwide.

In 2023, Raads' distinctive artistic voice garnered attention when she was named a "Driven by Dreams" ambassador by Porsche, celebrating her fearless pursuit of artistic collaboration . Her work has been showcased in exhibitions in Europe, including a successful solo show "Sun and Soul: Sunset Recollections," and has been commissioned for luxury spaces such as the Jumeirah Hotel in Sóller, Mallorca.

Working from her light-filled studio in England's coastal town of Lytham St Annes, Raads has recently evolved her practice to embrace an innovative multimedia approach. Her current work integrates oil paints, ink washes, and aerosol elements, creating compositions that hover in the liminal space between recognition and abstraction. This new body of work explores the complex relationship between humanity and nature, employing a sophisticated palette that marries neutral tones with strategic bursts of vibrant color.

Raads' artistic process is both intuitive and deliberately uncertain, embracing the unpredictable behaviours of her materials as a reflection of nature's own capricious character. Her work investigates themes of environmental connection, temporal fluidity, and the dialogue between controlled technique and organic chance, resulting in pieces that reveal hidden depths and narratives over time.

Through her continual artistic evolution and fearless experimentation, Raads has established her distinctive creative signature by creating works that not only capture the physical essence of natural phenomena but invite viewers into a deeper contemplation of their own relationship with the natural world.