Notes

The Last Light originates from a fleeting moment beneath an old Papierbas tree, dusk was settling. The fire crackled. A troupe of bush babies appeared in the trees, moving in harmony. Each leap was an act of instinct, each pause a shared understanding, each moment tethered to the unseen forces that bind all living things. Then, in an instant, the rhythm was broken, the stealthy hunter swooped down, and one life was gone.

Emotional synchrony, A primal, unspoken exchange that echoes across species. This moment would later mirror a far deeper realisation for the artist – the sudden impact of COVID-19, marked by the quiet rhythm of a ventilator when her partner, Tommy, was admitted to the emergency ward in 2020. Once again, De Beer found herself in the slow frame rate of stillness, sensing an impending void.

The sculptures depict bush babies in life-like poses, poised between motion and observation, suspended in anticipation. Intended to be installed in living trees, they create an interplay between the solid and ephemeral, inviting the world to exist alongside them. Each piece captures quiet reflection; or the tension before a leap, evoking a sense of wonder, presence, and fleeting connection.

Crafted in aluminum, the sculptures feature a smooth yet unpolished surface, allowing natural oxidation over time, and furthering their integration with their surroundings. Highly polished eyes and tension points reflect light, creating focal points. Viewers are invited to pause and reflect on their own presence in the world.