Laurinda Belcher, a painter based in Paarl, creates little stories with concealed elements through her intuitive art-making process. Her inspiration is drawn from the playful nature of her inner child and changing the perspective of domestic objects such as curtains, duvet covers and the morning sun’s light and shadow. Belcher’s paintings depict a private world within the seemingly mundane, using acrylic paint and mixed media on canvas. Previously a preschool teacher in Hanoi, Belcher’s interest in psychology and the impact of childhood trauma on adult perception informs her work’s whimsical and dark nature. Through her painting practice, she aims to express the innermost thoughts and feelings that words often fail to capture. The narrative structure of her works is influenced by her fascination with folklore and superstitions, allowing her to explore the covert human psyche.