Opening at artSPACE durban on July 5 at 18h30 is Studio 8, a collaboration of three Cape Town based artists who share a studio.

Leanne Boulter paints in oils and finds the combination of very thick, impasto paint together with large areas of simple, solid flat colour most effective in terms of what I want to achieve. “My paintings deal with the social issues of HIV-AIDS, family violence and family murders, focusing in particular on the effect it has on women and children,” she says. “It is my aim to honour the innocent victims of these social scourges and in a quiet way, elevating them into iconic status. When I paint these images, it is my intention to create a sense of serenity and peace and a gentle acknowledgement of the beauty of their souls."

Francois Van Reenen has exhibited his animation and drawings internationally in London and Lisbon. His most recent solo show was at the Premises Gallery in Johannesburg in April 2006. "I derive my inspiration from popular culture,” he explains. “I work in sculpture, painting, computer generated printed imagery and animation. Most of my sculptures are autobiographical."

Tracy Lee Lynch has worked as a full-time artist since the completion of her studies. She has exhibited in Cape Town and Johannesburg as well as in London and she has been called on for many commissions around the world. “I create works on canvas using a number of different techniques which result in a layered surface,” she explains. “I choose to work with images which I find nostalgic, seductive and playful.”

Studio 8 runs at artSPACE durban from July 5 to 22.