The joint exhibition by Ilana Seati and the House on Fire Studio: Reverie Revealed is a
provocative show that revels in the freedom of semi-abstract art as the artists take
creative liberties with form, colour, texture, shape and line. Ilana Seati, Jiggs Thorne,
Shadrack Masuku and Noah Mdluli create and represent altered but identifiable entities,
turning the gallery into a fantasy-scape where highly-stylised subject matter exists with
independence from visual certainties we have come to expect.

The House on Fire Studio is an inspired atelier, an inventive think tank in Swaziland that
is adorned with mosaic, poetry and sculpture. A space that offers continuity of creative
development and growth, House on Fire is the brainchild of Jiggs Thorne, an artist, poet
and dramatist. The studio includes a gallery that showcases the soapstone and wooden
sculpture produced by Jiggs and his artistic partners, Shadrack Masuku and Noah Mdluli.
Jiggs guides the process and design and helps with the finish, but it is a collaborative
endeavour. “Shadrack and Noah are the amazing hands,” says Jiggs.
Shadrack has worked with Jiggs for twelve years. “It comes from somewhere deep inside
of me, some magic place”, says Shadrack who sees his work as a passion and a calling.
Noah, working primarily in soapstone, has been a part of the House on Fire team for over
ten years, and is one of the consortium’s core artists. His work and vision is evident in the
construction of the studio itself as well as the pieces he produces.
Ilana Seati is a contemporary artist who creates potent abstract works that explore
concepts of truth and fantasy. In particular, she searches for the ways in which we move
across the boundaries of reality and fiction in our lives and how these two concepts can
shape our worlds.

The visual language of the show is dreamlike, allowing the viewer to experience an
otherworldly space occupied with artworks that hark to another universe entirely.
Sometimes horrific, sometimes euphoric, all pieces explore the monsters and
enchantments of spheres not completely known to us.

Contact In Toto Gallery for more info

www.intotogallery.co.za