Lizzie Ana is a contemporary painter who born and raised in Maputo Mozambique, the land of the Makhuwa and Makonde, “the friendly people”. A native of Mozambique, her colourful paintings pay homage to her homeland. Bob Dylan sang about a magic found in a magical land. Lizzie Ana has dedicated her artist life to capturing this magic. Her distinctive personal style , depicts aspects life in Mozambique by portraying ordinary people engaged in everyday activities. Her art is Arte Daqui, art from here.
Lizzie Ana's appreciation for the diversity of her home city Maputo is found in her cityscapes representations. Using contemporary visual strength Lizzie Ana creates sound competition between old and new elements. A afro-latin vibe is intertwined into renowned architect Pancho Guedesthe Portuguese colonial buildings. Old competes with new. A city battered and bruised by wars and conflicts, economic collapse and decay, is now replaced by a rebirth of the independent and more modern. A youthful adolescent city energy can be felt through Lizzie Ana’s paintings, where risk and reward are one of the same. This collision of old and new, from the uncomplicated to the confused, is captured in these cityscapes. You find your eyes scoping the skyline, recognising the old familiar shapes and hoping a new one hasn't taken its place.
Lizzie Ana always knew what she wanted to be, an artist that lives the artist's life, painting and exhibiting whenever she can. Lizzie Ana; “I admire all artists. To be an artist takes courage, it can be a difficult life for me sometimes, but artists must experience all emotions to create”. Lizzie Ana has chosen this life. Lizzie Ana began painting professionally when she left her adopted family home at an early age. Raised by aunties and alongside her cousins, forced an early independence. Lizzie Ana is a self taught artist that has developed her own unique distinctive style. Her reflections paintings are a product of this non structured freedom and independence.
