The six etchings by Elise Wessels are part of a body of work Beast in Mind, an intuitive visual interpretation of the Shadow archetype, as defined by C.G. Jung. Jung proposed that the ‘Shadow’ may partially be linked to primordial and irrational animal instincts, and it is also seen to be the seat of creativity, which becomes her point of departure. This series is inspired by South African writers whose lives and work it seems the ‘Shadow’ played a significant role in. Wessels uses hybrid forms to simulate a visual – or actual – conversation between the psyche and animal archetypes. With Beast in Mind, she hoped to offer the viewer a key to the intuitive language of the ‘Shadow’.
Elise Wessels works as an Illustrator in Cape Town. She works independently after spending two and a half years at the Am I Collective illustration studio. She completed her bachelor’s in fine arts at the University of South Africa.

Amasidia’s Dream
2011
Softground etching and aquatint on Zerkall Intaglio 250gsm
Edition of 10
Paper dimension: 47.5 x 38 cm
Image dimension: 24.7 x 22.4 cm
Price R2900 (excl. VAT)

Cold Stone Fear
2011
Softground etching and aquatint on Zerkall Intaglio 250gsm
Edition of 10
Paper dimension: 47.5 x 38 cm
Image dimension: 24.7 x 22.4 cm
Price R2900 (excl. VAT)

Mâbalel
2011
Softground etching and aquatint on Zerkall Intaglio 250gsm
Edition of 10
Paper dimension: 47.5 x 38 cm
Image dimension: 24.7 x 22.4 cm
Price R2900 (excl. VAT)

Ontvlugting
2011
Softground etching and aquatint on Zerkall Intaglio 250gsm
Edition of 10
Paper dimension: 47.5 x 38 cm
Image dimension: 24.7 x 22.4 cm
Price R2900 (excl. VAT)

The Dark Stream
2011
Softground etching and aquatint on Zerkall Intaglio 250gsm
Edition of 10
Paper dimension: 47.5 x 38 cm
Image dimension: 24.7 x 22.4 cm
Price R2900 (excl. VAT)

Wolves in Mind
2011
Softground etching and aquatint on Zerkall Intaglio 250gsm
Edition of 10
Paper dimension: 47.5 x 38 cm
Image dimension: 24.7 x 22.4 cm
Price R2900 (excl. VAT)