Remember “Wrapping the Reichstag”? That was the artist, Bulgarian-born Christo, now officially called “Christo and Jeanne-Claude” to include both partners who were responsible for bringing the term land art into the public eye. They did not stop at wrapping monumental buildings but went on to curtain canyons and insulate islands in diaphanous material – in every case they restored the objects of their art to a natural state after the work was complete.
The Dutch artist herman de vries (he prefers lower case) is also a pioneering land artist and was responsible for introducing our local artist Leli Hoch to the genre. de vries, born 1931, enjoys creating sanctuaries where onlookers may observe but not trespass. He believes “one cannot enrich or improve nature with art.” I heard a fresh definition of land art the other day – “Using elements of nature in nature to create art.” And this is certainly what Leli does – see her picture of nasturtiums and the broken dam.
Workshops at B’Bos
On the weekend 2 + 3 May, Leli will lead workshops on land art in the fynbos and surrounds of participating artist Andrée Bonthuys on Saturday afternoon around 15h00 and Sunday morning around 10h30. Andrée’s work includes reference to fecund forests and shadow shows so keep an open mind. Twelve other local artists will be participating in the weekend art route and you can visit their studios and meet them between 10h00 and 17h00. For details and a map, see www.baardskeerdersbosartroute.com.
Village Square
If you can fight your way through the crowds at the Waterfront Piazza at this weekend’s music festival, have a look at the art on exhibition on the second floor – a group of artists have, since Easter, taken advantage of the massive space there and established themselves in an informal gallery. Celeste Fourie was very pleased with the amount of visitors passing through and is hoping to stay on as long as possible.
Cecil Skotnes
Sad to take note of the demise at 82 of a great South African master. Skotnes contributed so much to the indigenous art scene with his distinctive work rooted in the African idiom. He and his wife Thelma always struck me as gentle but tenacious. Certainly Skotnes’s mentoring work at the Polly Street Art Centre, founded 1949 in downtown Johannesburg, was a seminal influence in difficult times. This was recognized in 2003 when he was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga (gold). A life well lived.
I look forward to hearing your news and views at niblos@telkomsa.net.
Sketch - CHARLES VAN DER MERWE
Many eminent artists, of all genres, live in our Overberg region. This brings up the interesting question of what it is in this environment which inspires or allows artists to fulfill their desires and intentions. Is it the natural physical environment? The relative quiet? The connectedness of a large community of artists? The feeling that the culture and ambience of the area offers possibilities for the artist’s values and way of life? Whatever the reasons, it is obvious that the region benefits from the culture of art in many ways, and that The Way of The Artist deserves acknowledgement and support.
From Figures to Figures
Charles van der Merwe settled here five years ago, having decided to leave the corporate world of finance and figures for a full-time, professional, life in the world of Art, drawing and painting. Brought up in the green hills of Kwazulu-Natal, he had side-lined early interest in drawing for a career in the industrial financial field in South Africa, England, Mozambique and Angola.
Serious drawing/painting commenced in 1980. By 2001 he had decided to devote the rest of his life to art. Retiring from corporate life, he embarked on an exploration of the world of art, studying with well-known artists, visiting great art museums in Europe and being awarded a two-month study period at Citê Internationale des Artes, Paris in 2007.
Exhibitions
He works in pastels and oils, charcoal and graphite. He has had solo exhibitions (The Cape Gallery 2004, The Philip Harper Gallery 2005 the art-B Gallery 2007), several two-man exhibitions and numerous joint exhibitions (including The Smithfield Gallery, London, 2008). A Fellow of the South African Society of Artists (SASA), he has been, in recent years, a consistent winner of the ‘Best Pastel’ trophy at SASA exhibitions as well as receiving the ‘Best Drawing’ prize in 2006.
“ I try to look and see beyond apparent reality to the depth of a moment, a situation, a person, an environment. To re-present this essence, to reflect these ‘frames of encounter’ in a complex, ongoing interaction between artist, viewer & subject. The world presents itself moment to moment. Figures, faces, street scenes, interiors, landscapes. The pavement cafê, the dance studio, the nude figure. Illumination beyond windows, the impermanence of flowers, stillness in movement, dry dusty empty plains”.
Charles now lives and works in Kleinmond. I asked his wife Marguerite if she painted, too. She suggested that one artist in the family is enough. Certainly, if not an artist herself, she has the sensitivity to be a significant support and gave me the details for this sketch. His work is evocative and well-finished as one can see by the recognition granted by his fellow artists. It must be delightful to live with and will continue to give pleasure over the years.
Charles’s voyage of discovery continues in his art as well as literary, musical and philosophical interests, and in travel. He values the life-experience of a ‘mature’ citizen in reflecting the artistic process. You can see his work in local galleries in Hermanus and Onrus (The Missions House.)
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