“Energy and Motion” (Image courtesy of the artist)

It’s rare in the art world for artists with divergent ideas and techniques to come together and display their work as a collective unit.

As infrequent as it might be, a group of artists has come together for the last several years to show work under the title OpenArtCode. The group has held shows in Monaco, London, and Shanghai and is set to have a show in Paris at the Grand Palais in the Salon des Artistes Indépendants this November. When I first found out about this unique group though, I had no idea that one of the artists participating in OpenArtCode and representing the United States is working right here in Little Utopia’s own home, South Florida. Her name is Dari.

The artist at work (Image courtesy of the artist)

Dari’s work, as you can see above and by scrolling through the gallery on her personal site, is influenced by impressionist painters like Camille Pissarro and Vincent van Gogh, as well as by expressionists like Max Pechstein. Her use of bright colors and broken brush strokes suggest a striking present or a slowly fading past. I think I liked her work almost immediately because it reminded me of Monet, one of my favorite artists, and, as it turns out, another significant influence on Dari. Painting isn’t the only medium she works in, either. Dari is also a sculptor and has a permanent collection, entitled “Women Evolve,” at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

Although she’s now based in South Florida, Dari is originally from Johannesburg, South Africa and has also lived in Toronto, Canada. In order to work in Canada and the United States, Dari was issued a work permit based on special artistic talent and the distinguished 0-1 visa. During her career, she has had pieces commissioned by members of parliament in Africa, had work featured in both private and corporate collections, and exhibited numerous times in South Africa, the U.S., and Europe. Quite the resume, indeed.

So if you’re lucky enough to be in Paris in late November, don’t miss out on the OpenArtCode show. If not, find out more about Dari through her website. You just may have found your new favorite artist.

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Charlie Crespo (@Little_Utopia) is the editor-in-chief of Little Utopia.

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