Erin Chaplin: Materiality, Emotion, and the Poetics of Decay

Erin Chaplin, born in Durban in 1988, is a self-taught South African artist whose work interrogates the tension between permanence and impermanence, control and spontaneity. Her practice encompasses oil painting and embroidery, mediums she employs to explore themes of vulnerability, transformation, and the human condition.​

Mediums and Techniques

Chaplin’s primary medium is oil on canvas, applied using an impasto technique that results in textured, layered surfaces. Her brushwork is expressive and unrestrained, capturing the ephemeral qualities of her subjects. In addition to painting, Chaplin incorporates embroidery into her work, juxtaposing the immediacy of paint with the meticulousness of stitching. This combination underscores the dualities present in her art—ephemeral versus permanent, chaos versus order.​

Themes and Symbolism

Central to Chaplin’s work is the exploration of decay and transformation. She often depicts still lifes of flowers and fruit, emphasizing their inevitable decline to reflect on human mortality and the fleeting nature of beauty. Her color further accentuates these themes; she blends vibrant hues like red and green to produce muddy browns, symbolizing the complexity and ambiguity of emotional experiences. Chaplin’s art invites viewers to confront discomfort and find beauty, challenging traditional notions of aesthetic perfection.​

Notable Exhibitions

Chaplin has exhibited extensively both in South Africa and internationally. Her solo exhibition “Red and Green Work” at Everard Read in Cape Town (September 4–25, 2024) showcased her exploration of color theory and emotional depth. Another significant solo show, “Island,” held at the same gallery in November 2022, featured works inspired by her residency in Sintra, Portugal, where she delved into themes of isolation and introspection. Chaplin has also participated in group exhibitions such as “Southern Light” at Everard Read in London and “We Are a Way for the Cosmos to Know Itself” at Bode Projects in Berlin.​

Comparative Context

Chaplin’s work resonates with contemporary South African artists exploring identity, memory, and transformation themes. For instance, Helen Sebidi’s paintings delve into narratives of indigeneity and continuity, employing layered impastos to evoke a sense of timelessness. Similarly, Arabella Caccia’s embroidered pieces draw inspiration from natural landscapes, emphasizing the meditative creation process. While Chaplin shares thematic concerns with these artists, her unique integration of painting and embroidery and her focus on decay and impermanence set her apart in the contemporary art landscape.​

The Bottom Line 

Erin Chaplin’s art is a testament to the power of introspection and the expressive potential of mixed media. Through her textured paintings and intricate embroideries, she captures the ephemeral nature of life and the emotional landscapes that define the human experience. Her work continues to resonate with audiences, offering a profound commentary on the beauty found within impermanence.​