Bevan de Wet’s presentation of work for Surface Tension explores the intersections of materiality, ecology, and human intervention. Crafted from Sisal fibers, hemp fibers, and recycled cotton, the works begin as pulp. Pigmented with watercolours and drawing inks, the pulp is poured or hand-placed into moulds. As the material dries, it contracts into rigid yet permeable sheets, forming abstracted surfaces that evoke biomorphic textures and geological strata.

The engagement with the surface is an almost archaeological process of unearthing; exploring thresholds and permeability, and blurring the line between surface and depth. The repeated patterns and perforations mimic natural sequences and create a tension between the structured and the organic.

The use of Sisal, an invasive species in South Africa, links notions of human occupancy with the broader interconnection of living systems. By transforming invasive fibers into enduring forms, de Wet reimagines the balance between intervention and preservation, and speaks to ecological themes concerning reclamation, adaptation, and the human impact on the delicate balance of ecosystems.

De Wet views these works as abstract topographies — visual maps of interconnected systems rather than literal landscapes. The visual language of repeated perforations and layered textures echo the rhythms of erosion, growth, and decay found in natural processes. The perforations and abstract marks suggest a temporal and geological perspective, speaking to humanity’s shifting relationship with the landscape and the enduring resilience of natural forms beyond the human condition.

Through this tactile and intuitive exploration, Surface Tension reflects on the resilience of nature and the interconnected systems that sustain life. The works speak to the enduring cycles of the earth and invites  viewers to consider humanity’s role within these fragile and evolving ecosystems.