Turning chaos into art show proves to be a hit
The Advertiser was eager to find out what the young local performing artist is up to after her recent debut of her show called Chaos tot Kuns.
A young performing artist from Boksburg, Sunel Gilliland (24), is now excited for the second half of the year after she impressed audiences with her one-woman show in Pretoria and Bloemfontein.
Recently she performed with great success her show at Vrynge (Vrystaat Arts Festival) in July.
Although Sunel is tired after a long month of non-stop rehearsals and performing, she is all smiles, and not stopping at anything.
“I am ready to keep on working hard and share my talents with the world. It is chaos, but so exhilarating and special to perform and create,” said Sunel.
“I got so overwhelmed with my chaotic life that I decided to write a show about it and transform it into art. We all have chaos, so I turned mine into art.”
Sunel debuted her production in Pretoria on June 22 at the Lier Theatre at the University of Pretoria.
“I was so blessed to have a fully booked show and the love and support I received afterward was so special to me.”
Sunel also exhibited some of her paintings and sketches at this performance and the audience were thrilled to take some of her artworks home.
Sunel was over the moon that the poster of her show was plastered all over the University of the Free State Campus for Vrynge.
“I had the wonderful opportunity of sharing my talents with the festival audiences. I was welcomed at the festival with open arms.”
She said the festival was a huge success and her show was well received and enjoyed by many.
“I will definitely try and take part at the festival every year. I learned so much, and it was an honour to perform at a festival where so many legendary actors were performing.
“This one-woman show is a comedy with a spark of honest truth and hardships that we all experience. The production speaks about my panic every year before my birthday when I realise the year that has gone by did not go exactly according to plan.”
Sunel is now getting ready to perform her show in Boksburg later this year.
“I aim on doing at least three runs of my show in Boksburg before the end of September.”
She will also exhibit her art, and hopes the performances will benefit the community.
“I strongly believe in staying true to who I am and where I come from, so I am very eager to perform for my community and empower those around me, through my art.”
Her next performance will be at a fund-raiser for the ILumen Boksburg Church on August 31.
“Everyone in the community is welcome. It is going to be an event to remember.”
She will also be performing at several Women’s Day functions in Boksburg.
“As part of this special time of honouring women, I will be donating one of my paintings to a business fund-raiser where the painting will be auctioned and the funds will be donated to Pink Drive, which is a NPO that focuses on the prevention of breast cancer.”
Sunel believes in sharing her talents with those around her and doing everything she can to promote positive body image, stories of hope in the community and just enjoys making the audience laugh.
“I am blessed beyond measure, and so grateful to have family, friends and the community that support me along the way.”
Follow Sunel on Instagram and Facebook to find out about her performances and art.
Some of the responses received after her performances:
- “Your show is so relatable and made me laugh and cry.”
- “Wow, wow, wow, is all I can say.”
- “It was so refreshing to see an artist be so vulnerable and honest on stage.”
- “We could all see a little bit of ourselves in the performance.”
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