Only one more ArtsPage until Christmas! Well, two if you count the edition datelined 25 December itself. It will come out on Thursday 24th and will be a round-up of all our artspots from Betty’s Bay to Gansbaai, including Greyton and even Villiersdorp. This appears twice a year to remind locals and visitors alike of all the art that is available, a grand help-yourself buffet of goodies, something for everyone.
Piazza Gallery
No apologies for mentioning again the newest of our galleries, the amazing space on the 2nd Floor of the Village Square next to Ocean Basket. They sensibly asked me to do the opening on Tuesday and, by the time you read this, town will be buzzing with the news of this artspot and cultural hub. The concept is to appeal not just to aficionado art lovers but to everyone who has ever taken an interest in a painting – and is that not all of us? Art is not a mysterious arcane philosophy, it’s a part of life and owner Deirdre Loxton wants Hermanusites to pop in, browse, maybe have a coffee. Chill out in the spacious gallery that she has designed in association with Pieter Vermaak, approachable and knowledgable artist and art teacher now based in Onrus.
Gallery 43
Yes, another gallery! Martin Benzien is showing affordable oils in his unpretentious gallery which opened a month ago on the R43 at Bot River, in the Salandra complex.
A good representation of paintings by Don Benzien, Martin’s father, and works by other family members are also among the colourful canvasses arranged in the gallery and on the lawn outside. Martin likes the idea of a laid-back market atmosphere where families can wander, icecream in hand – verboten at more formal art places. ArtsPage welcomes this venture which adds to the range of art in our area.
But is it art?
The Spier Biennial is coming up again in March next year and it will be intriguing to see how much, or how little, painting is represented. The DVDs and the conceptual works produced in great quantities by our art academies are certainly in tune with the times. Damien Hirst scored a ₤50 million hit with his diamond-studded skull and he is just one of the Young British Artists group that has emerged in the past decade. But even Mr Hirst has again taken up painting with his own paintbrush on canvas; in his current exhibition “No Love Lost” in the revamped home of the Wallace Collection in London, he is actually showing paintings. The fact that Hirst paid for the sumptuous silk wallpaper may have helped the trustees to welcome his art – or perhaps they reckoned that a big name would bring in a fresh crop of visitors to look at the Collection’s old masters whose technique and talent has stood the test of time.
SA Art Times
I like this monthly paper. It is packed with information on art throughout the country but it is produced in Cape Town which immediately makes it somehow better. Sometimes it is packed with typographical errors, too, but it is freewhich can only be good; visit some of the galleries here and you can pick up a copy. You may even see some of my news of Hermanus and surroundings as we are recognized as an art destination and their readers want to know what is happening here. In the November issue is a new insert called Artlife (website www.artlife.co.za) and this is described as “being written by artists for artists.” I hope that our local art people will take up the challenge and submit articles, support with advertising and help make this venture fly.
Till next time, send me your news and views - niblos@telkomsa.net.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Amazing Space!
ArtsPage, always first with the news, is delighted to draw your attention to a new gallery in town. It is the Piazza Gallery, on the 2nd Floor of the Village Square Piazza, same level as the upper deck of the new Ocean Basket and is the newest project of artist and businesswoman Deirdre Loxton. Pieter Vermaak, whose art school in Onrus has featured on this page, is the artistic consultant and, knowing his experienced eye, the gallery will always have something intriguing on its walls. Charles Lowings has been appointed as manager and they will show contemporary art, sourcing locally and from all over South Africa.
Pieter Vermaak and Deirdre Loxton
Another gallery?
Are we not “over-galleried”? Do we need another one? Is the art cake to be divided yet again? These naughty thoughts must be banished right now. Hermanus is an art destination and the more galleries we have, the better. Hooray for the Loxtons in their new venture and may they be followed by many more. It was Francois Grobbelaar of Walker Bay Art Gallery who boldly said he would be happy if the whole Main Road were art galleries and he was right. Almost all the gallerists will tell you that the majority of buyers are not locals; they may be holidaymakers from points North or, more likely, overseas visitors who are impressed by the variety and sheer good value of the art offerings here.
Accessible paintings
Quality is vital of course. But quality is something that people often have to learn to appreciate and a stroll through our galleries is one way of educating the eye. Taste in art is as wide as our glorious bay and our artspots can offer something for everyone. If you are hesitant to enter the premises of the purveyors of high art, you will still see plenty of accessible paintings, ceramics and sculpture on offer elsewhere. Remember Johan De Vries (1945-2002) who used to flog his graphic works for a couple of hundred rand at Lemms Corner? Some looked down on them as naïve. Now you will be lucky if you can find them and the price will be in the thousands. (Tip: Rossouw Modern still has a small collection.) The individual Cubist look and everyday subject matter of De Vries’s work has been copied after his death– surely the sincerest form of flattery.
Johan de Vries - "Die Laaste Avondmaal"
Piazza Gallery
Back to Hermanus’s latest gallery; the design is SoHo loft style, sparsely furnished and high-ceilinged, with one hundred metres of wall space that no other local gallery can match. The doors are open now, though the official launch (by invitation only) is still a few weeks away. There is a lift to the second floor if you don’t do stairs – as well as easy access from the restaurant. The space looks great for making art of all kinds; recitals, concerts and, who knows, even a spot of jazz and a glass of bubbly could make this into a social hub that is slick, modern and right there where the action is.
SNIPPETS
• Pure South’s “Meet the Artist” evening last week introduced Hennie Meyer to Hermanus. He told us, most entertainingly, how he came to ceramics (sanctions in his Australian exchange student year in the 1980s landed him in the art department of a technical college) and his work is now sold internationally.
• Bellini Gallery is well settled in new premises at 167 Main Road and, as well as cappuccino and art, they offer a booking service for Overstrand Arts/Kunste shows.
• Strauss and Co, the new Cape Town action house, is taking appointments for auction valuations by Stephan Welz on Thursday 19 November. Call 0878068780.
• A creative art workshop at Volmoed in the Hemel en Aarde Valley is scheduled for December 7-11. Contact Alyson 028-3121282 or home 028-3132313. “An opportunity to learn, share and exhibit.”
• Keep your news and views coming to me at niblos@telkomsa.net
Pieter Vermaak and Deirdre LoxtonAnother gallery?
Are we not “over-galleried”? Do we need another one? Is the art cake to be divided yet again? These naughty thoughts must be banished right now. Hermanus is an art destination and the more galleries we have, the better. Hooray for the Loxtons in their new venture and may they be followed by many more. It was Francois Grobbelaar of Walker Bay Art Gallery who boldly said he would be happy if the whole Main Road were art galleries and he was right. Almost all the gallerists will tell you that the majority of buyers are not locals; they may be holidaymakers from points North or, more likely, overseas visitors who are impressed by the variety and sheer good value of the art offerings here.
Accessible paintings
Quality is vital of course. But quality is something that people often have to learn to appreciate and a stroll through our galleries is one way of educating the eye. Taste in art is as wide as our glorious bay and our artspots can offer something for everyone. If you are hesitant to enter the premises of the purveyors of high art, you will still see plenty of accessible paintings, ceramics and sculpture on offer elsewhere. Remember Johan De Vries (1945-2002) who used to flog his graphic works for a couple of hundred rand at Lemms Corner? Some looked down on them as naïve. Now you will be lucky if you can find them and the price will be in the thousands. (Tip: Rossouw Modern still has a small collection.) The individual Cubist look and everyday subject matter of De Vries’s work has been copied after his death– surely the sincerest form of flattery.
Johan de Vries - "Die Laaste Avondmaal"Piazza Gallery
Back to Hermanus’s latest gallery; the design is SoHo loft style, sparsely furnished and high-ceilinged, with one hundred metres of wall space that no other local gallery can match. The doors are open now, though the official launch (by invitation only) is still a few weeks away. There is a lift to the second floor if you don’t do stairs – as well as easy access from the restaurant. The space looks great for making art of all kinds; recitals, concerts and, who knows, even a spot of jazz and a glass of bubbly could make this into a social hub that is slick, modern and right there where the action is.
SNIPPETS
• Pure South’s “Meet the Artist” evening last week introduced Hennie Meyer to Hermanus. He told us, most entertainingly, how he came to ceramics (sanctions in his Australian exchange student year in the 1980s landed him in the art department of a technical college) and his work is now sold internationally.
• Bellini Gallery is well settled in new premises at 167 Main Road and, as well as cappuccino and art, they offer a booking service for Overstrand Arts/Kunste shows.
• Strauss and Co, the new Cape Town action house, is taking appointments for auction valuations by Stephan Welz on Thursday 19 November. Call 0878068780.
• A creative art workshop at Volmoed in the Hemel en Aarde Valley is scheduled for December 7-11. Contact Alyson 028-3121282 or home 028-3132313. “An opportunity to learn, share and exhibit.”
• Keep your news and views coming to me at niblos@telkomsa.net
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Catch up on art - 16 October 2009
The catching-up was for me to do after my holiday break but you, dear reader, may like to hear what has been going on locally and in Cape Town.
Strauss and Co
At the first auction of Strauss and Co at The Vineyard hotel on 8 October in Newlands, Stephan Welz held the hammer and around R38 million changed hands for some irresistible artworks and antiques. Encouraging to know that there is still plenty of cash for items of high quality. As expected, two Irma Sterns made top prices of the evening at R7 million and R5,7 million and the Paul Storr wine coolers that were illustrated in last fortnight’s ArtsPage fetched R1,5m - twice their estimate. An outstanding Meintjes oil “Seun en Boskat” set a new record for this artist at R423 320.
Johannes Meintjes - Oils – “Seun en Boskat” - sold at Strauss and Co auction for R423 000
Stellenbosch
The Spring Art Tour popped up in this pretty town last weekend and was well supported by local galleries and art museums. At the SMAC gallery, I discovered Anton Karstel, on show with paintings and photographic installations 1989-2009. The gallery, itself bright and light-filled, is to be congratulated on a model catalogue to complement and record Karstel’s oeuvre to date. Three well-considered essays as well as the gallery owner’s statement give insight into the deeper resonances in the gripping works on display. Nigel Mullins and Kobus La Grange show current work entitled “Hang in There” at the Dorpstraat Gallery which is now at 10 Church Street.
Hermanus gallery round-up
Abalone Art Gallery: A serious gallery with a changing selection of established artists. In the Courtyard off Harbour Road.
Art Thirst: Leon Müller’s gallery in High Street. Shows Leon’s own works plus Petrus Viljoen and others. Always lots of activity as commissions are filled and they strive to keep up with demand.
Bellini Gallery: Now in new premises alongside Philip Harper Galleries in Main Road. The cappuccino bar adds a buzz and makes the gallery one of the more accessible for those who are a bit intimidated by gallery “mystique”- the garden is a further attraction.
Two of “their” artists, Terry Kobus and Ed Bredenkamp, are exhibiting 24-31 October in Melville, Johannesburg in the gallery Upstairs at the Bamboo. The show is called “Hermanus to Here.”
Deirdre Winer Gallery: A newcomer to Hermanus who shows her own work (and some of her teacher’s) in a small but tasteful gallery in High Street Close.
Dave De Beer Wildlife Photography exhibits his brilliantly-observed and captured birds, beasts and cetaceans in a new space next-door to Deirdre Winer in the Close.
Gallery Hermanus: Eyecatching position on Main Road, a busy window entices you into an interior crammed with art that’s easy to enjoy.
Gallery at Hubbards Cupboard: Aberdeen St. Eclectic collection of paintings and decorative objects. Food and fashion, sophistication in a warm, village setting.
Iona Property Gallery: Art and kelims at Victoria Square on Long Street, – Eleanor and St John combine art with their core business, property.
Izibini Life Lounge: “Eclectic” seems too tame for this show of metal sculpture, found objects and way-out artworks. They are at 56, 10th Avenue, Voelklip and serve excellent coffee and cake while you browse.
Mila Mosaic Boutique: Now moved to the chic arcade known as High Street Close. Craft glass, mosaic and artworks (see also Deirdre Winer and Dave De Beer above).
Musa Khaly’s Gallery and Crafts: Village Square, upstairs –ethnic art painted by Musa.
Old Harbour Gallery Warrington Place off Harbour Road, showing selected local and Zimbabwean paintings and sculpture. Owner Margaret Fourie may be heard at the piano, and sources some well-chosen art.
Overberg Art: Aberdeen St, SA artists and Swazi glass, and currently also showing photographic works by MC Botha.
The Philip Harper Galleries: In Main Rd, Contemporary and SA Masters, cool and sophisticated. Trimmed down by the letting of some space to Bellini, Harper still has an uncluttered look in its ground and first floor areas.
Pure South: In Main Road. Art ceramics by award-winning Hennie Meyer and others, plus some paintings by local artists. Hennie will be at the gallery on Friday 6 November from 18h30 so call Liz Coates on 028 3121899 if you would like to meet him over a glass of wine.
Hennie Meyer – "Blocks" at PURE SOUTH
Rossouw Modern: aka the Fisherman’s Gallery. Harbour Road. Plenty of new and established talent here, driven by the passion of owner Joshua Rossouw. Groot Constantia Estate is their Cape Town base and they are also at Greyton.
The Art Shop: Mitchell St. Art supplies plus a chequerboard display of local artists.
The Tay Modern: Long St, devoted to the bold, colourful canvasses of Tay Dall. Her gallery has a branch in Greyton. This hard-working Vermont artist is also represented in galleries around SA as well as overseas.
Walker Bay Art Gallery: In Main Rd., now established as a leading gallery showing SA masters, contemporary and local artists. The well-lit windows offer a good glimpse of the quality art and sculpture within. They are currently having a Spring Exhibition.
4 Art Sake: Royal Centre, behind KFC. A tiny gallery which Cobus Kershoff has filled to the brim with the artworks that he loves.
Hemel en Aarde Shopping Village and nearby
Aeromarine Gallery: Airplanes in Sandbaai – Studies by Derrick Dickens, meticulous art that gladdens the eye of collectors and enthusiasts in a dedicated, revamped gallery. Selected other artists’ works, too.
Hornbill Fine Art: First-floor gallery above a treasure trove of Afrocentric ceramics by Erna and John Dry and their team. New shows regularly appear and the November Exhibition (which actually opens 21 October) features Erna Dry, Jonathon Dry, Petro Steere, Mariette Goosen, Charmé Southey, Nico van Rensburg and Laura van Riet.
Southern Art Ceramics: Glazed art of all descriptions, some practical, some architectural, all beautiful.
Sandbaai Stationery and Art: Art supplies and art, now moved to new premises down Sandbaai main road next to Specsavers. Still some wallspace for local artists!
Sylvia Smith Gallery: Long-established watercolourist showcasing her own works and those of local artists, plus ceramics and textile art. Mornings only in the quiet season.
Village Art Gallery: Brian Robertson at his easel. Invited artists share the space but the framing section has been discontinued.
Whale Rock Auctioneers: in Adam Street, Hermanus Business Park, (behind CTM) Derrick Benzien has an art and auction showroom and provides evaluations.
ONRUS
Antoinette Ohlenschläger’s Studio in van Blommestein Road is showing her vibrant works.
Galerie Gregoire: Old Main Road. A museum dedicated to Gregoire Boonzaier where you can see a centenary selection of work of the late great Gregoire, some for sale and some loaned.
Mission’s House Gallery: De Villiers St. Artist, art teacher and long-time gallerist Glenda Pope owns this historic farmhouse which she has recently expanded. Contemporary works and framing, too.
The Onrus Gallery: Derrick Benzien and well-known local artist Hennie Niemann Snr, own this prominent gallery on Lagoon Drive. It has established itself as a serious player in the SA Master and Contemporary scene.
The Gallery: in Van Blommestein Street. Offshoot of The Onrus Gallery, providing more wall space for their collection.
COUNTRY
Stanford
Stanford Galleries: This village is firmly on the art map with an extended and well-stocked gallery which still finds space for a leisurely bistro coffee corner, plus country antiques and collectors’ books next door.
Kleinmond
Harbour Road Gallery: local artists have found a home down this bohemian road where antiquey-crafty shops and taverna restaurants happily co-exist with light industrial businesses.
Betty’s Bay
John The Potter’s Studio – art and everyday ceramics, raku, too…
Michaelis Art, previously ArtWorks Gallery, now run by John Michaelis , are both to be found on the long stretch of main road
Villiersdorp
Elliott Art Studios – art courses regularly and artwork for sale in Dale and Mel Elliott’s smart art centre.
Le Gallerie: unpretentious local art gallery and coffee shop in the main road.
Greyton
Rossouw Modern, a branch of the vibrant Hermanus gallery is established here.
Scarlett, a gallery showing contemporary artists; plus some designer jewellery.
The Tay Modern, the branch of Tay Dall’s Hermanus gallery.
And don’t forget the (Hermanus-originated) Art Market, on the web at www.theartmarket.co.za, an internet site to explore for purchases and sales.
If you run a full-time artplace in the Overberg and are not listed, do send me details niblos@telkomsa.net.
Strauss and Co
At the first auction of Strauss and Co at The Vineyard hotel on 8 October in Newlands, Stephan Welz held the hammer and around R38 million changed hands for some irresistible artworks and antiques. Encouraging to know that there is still plenty of cash for items of high quality. As expected, two Irma Sterns made top prices of the evening at R7 million and R5,7 million and the Paul Storr wine coolers that were illustrated in last fortnight’s ArtsPage fetched R1,5m - twice their estimate. An outstanding Meintjes oil “Seun en Boskat” set a new record for this artist at R423 320.
Johannes Meintjes - Oils – “Seun en Boskat” - sold at Strauss and Co auction for R423 000Stellenbosch
The Spring Art Tour popped up in this pretty town last weekend and was well supported by local galleries and art museums. At the SMAC gallery, I discovered Anton Karstel, on show with paintings and photographic installations 1989-2009. The gallery, itself bright and light-filled, is to be congratulated on a model catalogue to complement and record Karstel’s oeuvre to date. Three well-considered essays as well as the gallery owner’s statement give insight into the deeper resonances in the gripping works on display. Nigel Mullins and Kobus La Grange show current work entitled “Hang in There” at the Dorpstraat Gallery which is now at 10 Church Street.
Hermanus gallery round-up
Abalone Art Gallery: A serious gallery with a changing selection of established artists. In the Courtyard off Harbour Road.
Art Thirst: Leon Müller’s gallery in High Street. Shows Leon’s own works plus Petrus Viljoen and others. Always lots of activity as commissions are filled and they strive to keep up with demand.
Bellini Gallery: Now in new premises alongside Philip Harper Galleries in Main Road. The cappuccino bar adds a buzz and makes the gallery one of the more accessible for those who are a bit intimidated by gallery “mystique”- the garden is a further attraction.
Two of “their” artists, Terry Kobus and Ed Bredenkamp, are exhibiting 24-31 October in Melville, Johannesburg in the gallery Upstairs at the Bamboo. The show is called “Hermanus to Here.”
Deirdre Winer Gallery: A newcomer to Hermanus who shows her own work (and some of her teacher’s) in a small but tasteful gallery in High Street Close.
Dave De Beer Wildlife Photography exhibits his brilliantly-observed and captured birds, beasts and cetaceans in a new space next-door to Deirdre Winer in the Close.
Gallery Hermanus: Eyecatching position on Main Road, a busy window entices you into an interior crammed with art that’s easy to enjoy.
Gallery at Hubbards Cupboard: Aberdeen St. Eclectic collection of paintings and decorative objects. Food and fashion, sophistication in a warm, village setting.
Iona Property Gallery: Art and kelims at Victoria Square on Long Street, – Eleanor and St John combine art with their core business, property.
Izibini Life Lounge: “Eclectic” seems too tame for this show of metal sculpture, found objects and way-out artworks. They are at 56, 10th Avenue, Voelklip and serve excellent coffee and cake while you browse.
Mila Mosaic Boutique: Now moved to the chic arcade known as High Street Close. Craft glass, mosaic and artworks (see also Deirdre Winer and Dave De Beer above).
Musa Khaly’s Gallery and Crafts: Village Square, upstairs –ethnic art painted by Musa.
Old Harbour Gallery Warrington Place off Harbour Road, showing selected local and Zimbabwean paintings and sculpture. Owner Margaret Fourie may be heard at the piano, and sources some well-chosen art.
Overberg Art: Aberdeen St, SA artists and Swazi glass, and currently also showing photographic works by MC Botha.
The Philip Harper Galleries: In Main Rd, Contemporary and SA Masters, cool and sophisticated. Trimmed down by the letting of some space to Bellini, Harper still has an uncluttered look in its ground and first floor areas.
Pure South: In Main Road. Art ceramics by award-winning Hennie Meyer and others, plus some paintings by local artists. Hennie will be at the gallery on Friday 6 November from 18h30 so call Liz Coates on 028 3121899 if you would like to meet him over a glass of wine.
Hennie Meyer – "Blocks" at PURE SOUTHRossouw Modern: aka the Fisherman’s Gallery. Harbour Road. Plenty of new and established talent here, driven by the passion of owner Joshua Rossouw. Groot Constantia Estate is their Cape Town base and they are also at Greyton.
The Art Shop: Mitchell St. Art supplies plus a chequerboard display of local artists.
The Tay Modern: Long St, devoted to the bold, colourful canvasses of Tay Dall. Her gallery has a branch in Greyton. This hard-working Vermont artist is also represented in galleries around SA as well as overseas.
Walker Bay Art Gallery: In Main Rd., now established as a leading gallery showing SA masters, contemporary and local artists. The well-lit windows offer a good glimpse of the quality art and sculpture within. They are currently having a Spring Exhibition.
4 Art Sake: Royal Centre, behind KFC. A tiny gallery which Cobus Kershoff has filled to the brim with the artworks that he loves.
Hemel en Aarde Shopping Village and nearby
Aeromarine Gallery: Airplanes in Sandbaai – Studies by Derrick Dickens, meticulous art that gladdens the eye of collectors and enthusiasts in a dedicated, revamped gallery. Selected other artists’ works, too.
Hornbill Fine Art: First-floor gallery above a treasure trove of Afrocentric ceramics by Erna and John Dry and their team. New shows regularly appear and the November Exhibition (which actually opens 21 October) features Erna Dry, Jonathon Dry, Petro Steere, Mariette Goosen, Charmé Southey, Nico van Rensburg and Laura van Riet.
Southern Art Ceramics: Glazed art of all descriptions, some practical, some architectural, all beautiful.
Sandbaai Stationery and Art: Art supplies and art, now moved to new premises down Sandbaai main road next to Specsavers. Still some wallspace for local artists!
Sylvia Smith Gallery: Long-established watercolourist showcasing her own works and those of local artists, plus ceramics and textile art. Mornings only in the quiet season.
Village Art Gallery: Brian Robertson at his easel. Invited artists share the space but the framing section has been discontinued.
Whale Rock Auctioneers: in Adam Street, Hermanus Business Park, (behind CTM) Derrick Benzien has an art and auction showroom and provides evaluations.
ONRUS
Antoinette Ohlenschläger’s Studio in van Blommestein Road is showing her vibrant works.
Galerie Gregoire: Old Main Road. A museum dedicated to Gregoire Boonzaier where you can see a centenary selection of work of the late great Gregoire, some for sale and some loaned.
Mission’s House Gallery: De Villiers St. Artist, art teacher and long-time gallerist Glenda Pope owns this historic farmhouse which she has recently expanded. Contemporary works and framing, too.
The Onrus Gallery: Derrick Benzien and well-known local artist Hennie Niemann Snr, own this prominent gallery on Lagoon Drive. It has established itself as a serious player in the SA Master and Contemporary scene.
The Gallery: in Van Blommestein Street. Offshoot of The Onrus Gallery, providing more wall space for their collection.
COUNTRY
Stanford
Stanford Galleries: This village is firmly on the art map with an extended and well-stocked gallery which still finds space for a leisurely bistro coffee corner, plus country antiques and collectors’ books next door.
Kleinmond
Harbour Road Gallery: local artists have found a home down this bohemian road where antiquey-crafty shops and taverna restaurants happily co-exist with light industrial businesses.
Betty’s Bay
John The Potter’s Studio – art and everyday ceramics, raku, too…
Michaelis Art, previously ArtWorks Gallery, now run by John Michaelis , are both to be found on the long stretch of main road
Villiersdorp
Elliott Art Studios – art courses regularly and artwork for sale in Dale and Mel Elliott’s smart art centre.
Le Gallerie: unpretentious local art gallery and coffee shop in the main road.
Greyton
Rossouw Modern, a branch of the vibrant Hermanus gallery is established here.
Scarlett, a gallery showing contemporary artists; plus some designer jewellery.
The Tay Modern, the branch of Tay Dall’s Hermanus gallery.
And don’t forget the (Hermanus-originated) Art Market, on the web at www.theartmarket.co.za, an internet site to explore for purchases and sales.
If you run a full-time artplace in the Overberg and are not listed, do send me details niblos@telkomsa.net.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
SA’s best amateur photography - 2 October 2009
Nobody these days disputes that photography is an art medium and one that, with the advent of the digital camera, is becoming increasingly popular. Our well-supported and vibrant Hermanus Photographic Society has been invited to host the 2009 national congress of the Photographic Society of South Africa. I caught up with Max Leipold, one of the members of the organising committee, for a chat.
PC - Congratulations on securing this event for Hermanus. It will take place during the week starting October 12. Is that to coincide with the height of the whale season?
ML – It’s a privilege to host an event which should draw about 120 active photographers to our town and, yes, the date was chosen to offer delegates maximum photographic opportunities. Naturally, the whales feature highly on this list but by no means exclusively. In October, the wheatfields have been freshly harvested and the contour lines lend a third dimension to an image; the fynbos is at its best before the onset of the summer heat and then there are the great whites just to the east of us and a penguin colony on the west, bird life galore on either of the lagoons……….in fact, more photo opportunities than time available ! Hermanus is an excellent choice of venue.
PC – Tell me about the photographic club.
ML – The club, originally the Walker Bay Photo Society, was founded by Dinkie Marais and some 18 members in April 1997. Today it has 126 members -- a testimony to the exponential increase in interest in photography. This is largely due to the introduction of digital technology whereby anyone with a cellphone camera is able to take photographs.
The Hermanus Photographic Society helps those interested in improving their photo skills. There is a huge difference between point-and-shoot technique and a photo which can hold its own in an art gallery. Whilst not everyone aspires to this pinnacle, most of our members do want to improve their end result. That is our main focus and anyone is welcome to attend our meetings on a try-before-buy basis by calling the Club Chairperson (Ronnie Hazell) on 028 3123212
PC – And the forthcoming congress?
ML – A congress in Hermanus is a fairly rare event -this is only the second in 12 years. It provides a forum for over a hundred of South Africa’s most experienced amateur photographers to exchange ideas about techniques, locations, equipment etc. Congress provides a showcase for some of the best in SA amateur photography and local photo opportunities.
The early mornings and late afternoons provide the right light conditions for these opportunities; the rest of the mornings are filled with lectures by a number of foremost names in photography; the afternoons are dedicated to workshops – hands on education on PhotoShop; Audio Visual presentations; macro photography; visual art techniques and many more.
After dinner, delegates will be entertained with stunning audio visuals but not too late to bed as the following morning is another early rise!
PC – You mention ‘foremost photographers’. Are you able to name some?
ML – Amongst them are…
• Dianne Skinner – one of Canada’s leading visual arts photographers.
• George Hallett has worked in Europe for three decades photographing the positive aspects of people’s lives. He returned to South Africa in 1994 to photograph the first democratic elections, and subsequently the Truth and Reconciliation Commission process.
• Peter and Beverley Pickford, the renowned wildlife photographers whose many books have sold extensively both in SA and abroad, will share some of their passion for wildlife photography.
• Charles Biggs has been involved in photography for 30 years plus. Lectures at the Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography and will discuss his personal vision on the photography of people.
• Rob Mills, “The Man in the Sensible Pants” as he describes his Journey from Engineer to Artist, will also give a workshop on Digital Stitching for Panoramas
PC – Is the Congress open to people who are not members of your club?
ML - Yes it is. However, due to good marketing and a varied program of lectures and interesting workshops, we are now fully booked with more than 180 delegates for the morning lectures. But anybody interested can contact Dinkie Marais (028 – 312 3357 or e-mail; dinkiem@xsinet.co.za) and enquire whether some of the afternoon workshops still have openings. The public is most welcome to view the print exhibition in the foyer of the Municipal Auditorium during our congress.
PC - Congratulations on securing this event for Hermanus. It will take place during the week starting October 12. Is that to coincide with the height of the whale season?
ML – It’s a privilege to host an event which should draw about 120 active photographers to our town and, yes, the date was chosen to offer delegates maximum photographic opportunities. Naturally, the whales feature highly on this list but by no means exclusively. In October, the wheatfields have been freshly harvested and the contour lines lend a third dimension to an image; the fynbos is at its best before the onset of the summer heat and then there are the great whites just to the east of us and a penguin colony on the west, bird life galore on either of the lagoons……….in fact, more photo opportunities than time available ! Hermanus is an excellent choice of venue.
PC – Tell me about the photographic club.
ML – The club, originally the Walker Bay Photo Society, was founded by Dinkie Marais and some 18 members in April 1997. Today it has 126 members -- a testimony to the exponential increase in interest in photography. This is largely due to the introduction of digital technology whereby anyone with a cellphone camera is able to take photographs.
The Hermanus Photographic Society helps those interested in improving their photo skills. There is a huge difference between point-and-shoot technique and a photo which can hold its own in an art gallery. Whilst not everyone aspires to this pinnacle, most of our members do want to improve their end result. That is our main focus and anyone is welcome to attend our meetings on a try-before-buy basis by calling the Club Chairperson (Ronnie Hazell) on 028 3123212
PC – And the forthcoming congress?
ML – A congress in Hermanus is a fairly rare event -this is only the second in 12 years. It provides a forum for over a hundred of South Africa’s most experienced amateur photographers to exchange ideas about techniques, locations, equipment etc. Congress provides a showcase for some of the best in SA amateur photography and local photo opportunities.
The early mornings and late afternoons provide the right light conditions for these opportunities; the rest of the mornings are filled with lectures by a number of foremost names in photography; the afternoons are dedicated to workshops – hands on education on PhotoShop; Audio Visual presentations; macro photography; visual art techniques and many more.
After dinner, delegates will be entertained with stunning audio visuals but not too late to bed as the following morning is another early rise!
PC – You mention ‘foremost photographers’. Are you able to name some?
ML – Amongst them are…
• Dianne Skinner – one of Canada’s leading visual arts photographers.
• George Hallett has worked in Europe for three decades photographing the positive aspects of people’s lives. He returned to South Africa in 1994 to photograph the first democratic elections, and subsequently the Truth and Reconciliation Commission process.
• Peter and Beverley Pickford, the renowned wildlife photographers whose many books have sold extensively both in SA and abroad, will share some of their passion for wildlife photography.
• Charles Biggs has been involved in photography for 30 years plus. Lectures at the Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography and will discuss his personal vision on the photography of people.
• Rob Mills, “The Man in the Sensible Pants” as he describes his Journey from Engineer to Artist, will also give a workshop on Digital Stitching for Panoramas
PC – Is the Congress open to people who are not members of your club?
ML - Yes it is. However, due to good marketing and a varied program of lectures and interesting workshops, we are now fully booked with more than 180 delegates for the morning lectures. But anybody interested can contact Dinkie Marais (028 – 312 3357 or e-mail; dinkiem@xsinet.co.za) and enquire whether some of the afternoon workshops still have openings. The public is most welcome to view the print exhibition in the foyer of the Municipal Auditorium during our congress.
Spring at Baardskeerdersbos - 25th September
Visitors to our Whale Festival will know that we have more than just those gentle giants. You have come, of course, to enjoy the wine, the fynbos and especially the art for which the Overstrand is famous. So we have listed all the local artspots to visit; and if you are ready to venture a bit further afield, one not to miss is a rather special spring art route this weekend. On Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th September, the rural community of Baardskeerdersbos hosts its famous Art Route for the fifth time, having firmly established themselves as “the freshest inclusion to the national art scene.”
“No ordinary art route,” they proudly say. The event takes place only three times a year. Every Autumn, Spring, and Christmas the artists of the south host what they claim has become the “Premier Fine Art Event of the Overberg”. Expect to see painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, ceramics, and land art while meeting the artists in their homes and studios. Each artist presents a professional exhibition containing their most recent work, providing the visitor with a premier peek prior to the work being released to galleries.
NIEL JONKER – oil on panel –LANDSCAPE done in situ. On view at B’bos Spring Art Route
Visiting artists
The core group of a dozen solo artists is now being joined by visiting artists wanting to share in this unique event that is neither festival nor your average gallery opening. This spring sees the inclusion of highly collectable Hanneke Benade’s pastel portraits in the gallery venue opposite the village winkel. Hanneke’s work has won some prestigious awards and is included in major collections. Since matriculating with a distinction in graphic art, she has studied printmaking at Pretoria University and has had a three month spell in 2000 at the Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris. Her soft pastels are described as quiet and pensive figurative works, depicted with exquisitely delicate formal skill.
Renowned locals
You will want to see the regular, and renowned, locals such as Niel Jonker (painting and sculpture), Kali and Daniel Griffin (textiles and ceramics), Amanda Jephson (painting), Claudette Barnes (painting), Colleeen Emminis (painting), Victor Breach (photography and metal work), Aletta Groenewald (painting), Andree Bonthuys (land art and sculpture), Hendrik Rabie (ceramics), Gillian Eyre (painting), PD Coetzer (furniture), and Joshua Miles (painting and printmaking).
Collectors of art meet the artists in their milieu, sharing in their processes and inspirations, sometimes sneaking in ahead of the crowds on the Friday. While those in the know take advantage of the affordable prices for quality art, day-trippers enjoy the outing with wine, conversation and laughter in the most outstanding of rural Cape destinations. Kids mill about, friendly dogs scamper and one feels part of the buzzing artistic community. Three venues will be serving food and you can look forward to savouring a complimentary glass or two at any of the artists’ home venues.
Baardskeerdersbos, “the last of the true Cape villages”, is undoubtedly worth a visit ; a stunning rural setting, with historic buildings, village characters, genuine functional smallholdings and country hospitality. Access from Stanford is via Grootbos or Pearly Beach, or from Bredasdorp via Elim.
For more information, call 028-3819636 / 083 444 2613, or simply take the road toward Gansbaai and look out for the silver signs. Oh, and tell them you read about it on the ArtsPages…
SNIPPETS
• Richard Smith, one of our leading artists and living right here in Onrus, has just finished a solo show at the iArt Gallery in Cape Town. He will be the subject of one of my Sketches shortly.
• Bellini Gallery has opened up on Main Road, next to the Harper gallery. They have traded their sea view for a central location with more wall space and a delightful garden where the Cappuccino Bar will certainly flourish.
• Sandbaai Stationery and Art is at new premises half-way down the Sandbaai main road next door to Specsavers. Louis assures me there is still place for paintings on his walls.
• Next weekend 4/5 October, a trip to Stellenbosch will be worthwhile – several special exhibitions are on – see www.springarttour.co.za
• Strauss and Co, the new art auction house under direction of Stephan Welz, entertained me at its Cape Town premises at The Oval, near Cavendish Square last week. Wine was served in a magnificent pair of George 111 wine coolers by Paul Storr. (Est R600-800 000). Their inaugural sale is at The Vineyard, conveniently close to their offices, on 8 October and, judging by the items I saw, it is set to be every bit as successful as their Johannesburg launch in March. www.straussart.co.za.
• Keep your news and views coming to niblos@telkomsa.net.
“No ordinary art route,” they proudly say. The event takes place only three times a year. Every Autumn, Spring, and Christmas the artists of the south host what they claim has become the “Premier Fine Art Event of the Overberg”. Expect to see painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, ceramics, and land art while meeting the artists in their homes and studios. Each artist presents a professional exhibition containing their most recent work, providing the visitor with a premier peek prior to the work being released to galleries.
NIEL JONKER – oil on panel –LANDSCAPE done in situ. On view at B’bos Spring Art RouteVisiting artists
The core group of a dozen solo artists is now being joined by visiting artists wanting to share in this unique event that is neither festival nor your average gallery opening. This spring sees the inclusion of highly collectable Hanneke Benade’s pastel portraits in the gallery venue opposite the village winkel. Hanneke’s work has won some prestigious awards and is included in major collections. Since matriculating with a distinction in graphic art, she has studied printmaking at Pretoria University and has had a three month spell in 2000 at the Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris. Her soft pastels are described as quiet and pensive figurative works, depicted with exquisitely delicate formal skill.
Renowned locals
You will want to see the regular, and renowned, locals such as Niel Jonker (painting and sculpture), Kali and Daniel Griffin (textiles and ceramics), Amanda Jephson (painting), Claudette Barnes (painting), Colleeen Emminis (painting), Victor Breach (photography and metal work), Aletta Groenewald (painting), Andree Bonthuys (land art and sculpture), Hendrik Rabie (ceramics), Gillian Eyre (painting), PD Coetzer (furniture), and Joshua Miles (painting and printmaking).
Collectors of art meet the artists in their milieu, sharing in their processes and inspirations, sometimes sneaking in ahead of the crowds on the Friday. While those in the know take advantage of the affordable prices for quality art, day-trippers enjoy the outing with wine, conversation and laughter in the most outstanding of rural Cape destinations. Kids mill about, friendly dogs scamper and one feels part of the buzzing artistic community. Three venues will be serving food and you can look forward to savouring a complimentary glass or two at any of the artists’ home venues.
Baardskeerdersbos, “the last of the true Cape villages”, is undoubtedly worth a visit ; a stunning rural setting, with historic buildings, village characters, genuine functional smallholdings and country hospitality. Access from Stanford is via Grootbos or Pearly Beach, or from Bredasdorp via Elim.
For more information, call 028-3819636 / 083 444 2613, or simply take the road toward Gansbaai and look out for the silver signs. Oh, and tell them you read about it on the ArtsPages…
SNIPPETS
• Richard Smith, one of our leading artists and living right here in Onrus, has just finished a solo show at the iArt Gallery in Cape Town. He will be the subject of one of my Sketches shortly.
• Bellini Gallery has opened up on Main Road, next to the Harper gallery. They have traded their sea view for a central location with more wall space and a delightful garden where the Cappuccino Bar will certainly flourish.
• Sandbaai Stationery and Art is at new premises half-way down the Sandbaai main road next door to Specsavers. Louis assures me there is still place for paintings on his walls.
• Next weekend 4/5 October, a trip to Stellenbosch will be worthwhile – several special exhibitions are on – see www.springarttour.co.za
• Strauss and Co, the new art auction house under direction of Stephan Welz, entertained me at its Cape Town premises at The Oval, near Cavendish Square last week. Wine was served in a magnificent pair of George 111 wine coolers by Paul Storr. (Est R600-800 000). Their inaugural sale is at The Vineyard, conveniently close to their offices, on 8 October and, judging by the items I saw, it is set to be every bit as successful as their Johannesburg launch in March. www.straussart.co.za.
• Keep your news and views coming to niblos@telkomsa.net.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Reaching out for Art - September 4, 2009
It is easy to buy art; especially here in Hermanus. We have twenty-six galleries and art spaces between here and Onrus and more are opening by the day- or so it seems. At our Whale Festival you will usually find an informal display of the works of our many local artists and painters-for-pleasure. Art routes in the country are becoming popular. Collectors and dealers peruse the glossy catalogues of the big auction houses with their regular sales of desirable works. (Sometimes the photography is so good that the work itself is rather a let-down.)
Selling
But what about the time when you want to dispose of art? There are a number of options. Take advice from your favourite gallery – If a piece is by a known South African artist, the gallery may wish to acquire it for stock or perhaps accept it on consignment to sell. Commission is negotiable. The newly-established WhaleRock Auctioneers who advertise on the ArtsPage, have regular sales, the next one on 10th October and they are local , no great traveling involved. They deal in the South African Masters but may also accept works from lesser names which houses like Stephan Welz/Sotheby’s, Christies, Bonhams and Strauss and Co will not handle.
New internet site
Then there is the internet; more and more people are becoming comfortable with trading on the net. There are the better-known websites like e-bay and gumtree which can be quite addictive. And now, based in Hermanus, Jason Children and his partners have yesterday launched a website www.theartmarket.co.za which they describe as South Africa’s first on-line selling and auction site dedicated purely to art.
From left to right: Steven Dayson, Jason Children, Roslynn Shaw
Jason says “The site will allow artists, galleries and art enthusiasts to reach a broader market when selling or auctioning their art. By reaching a larger target audience, prospective sellers increase their chances of a sale. Sellers also create excitement by utilising the auction option within the site, which in turn creates a platform for faster sales.
Art buyers will have a site dedicated to art allowing them to browse, bid on or buy art from many different categories. Forums within the site will create communication between users and rating systems for buyers and sellers will effectively mean that users of the site will police themselves.”
Focus on art
When I asked Jason what the advantages of his site were, compared to long-established international sites, he pointed out the focus on art – one does not have to plow through a million other items that are on offer if it is specifically art you are looking for. And we locals have the additional advantage of seeing the developer of the site face–to-face. It is a home-grown product that has every possibility of taking off like a rocket into the webosphere.
I have tried the registration process (one has to register before one can buy or sell) and it was not too daunting. Certainly there are nine pages of Terms and Conditions and a further two-page Privacy Policy that you should look at, but I know from personal experience how adept ArtsPagers are at speed-reading.
The site is well presented and easy to navigate. Thumbnail pictures of the art are offered under many categories and a mouse click brings up the detail. Items may have a “Buy now” price quoted, as well as being up for auction bids for a period that the seller nominates.
Go-between
The Artmarket website acts only as a go-between. The actual payment and delivery of the item is arranged between buyer and seller. Credit card details are made available to the seller once a sale is confirmed. At the same time the Artmarket will debit its agreed commission to the seller. This is pitched at an attractive level and no charge is made until a work is actually sold. Traders are required to rate the service they experience with each other so regular users should soon build up a reputation for sound dealing practice. Ratings are disclosed on the site.
Some local galleries are already using the site and when the time comes that I must make space for fresh acquisitions, I too will try it. Most works of art that one buys are for keeps but there is from time to time the mistake needs to find a new home, or a cash crisis that means the inherited Gregoire has to go. Why not offer it on The Artmarket and try your luck?
And keep your news and views coming to niblos@telkomsa.net.
SKETCH - SHEILA NOWERS
Sheila Nowers
Vermont-based Sheila Nowers lives in a comfortable and rather imposing house she designed and built. “When I have time on my hands, I like nothing better than to design houses. I must have done hundreds!” Though few of them have been realized in bricks and mortar, it is easy to understand that this accomplished artist relishes the detail which goes into architecture. The first thing that strikes one in Sheila’s work is the detail. She works in gouache/water colours to a small scale , 15x13 mm is a typical size (“not miniatures, really, they are a different art form”) and with an incredible eye for minutiae – the cat curling its tail around a leg or looking, as cats disconcertingly do, directly at you. There’s wry humour there, too; or perhaps whimsy, as past gallerist Karen McKerron puts it.
Her training was in graphics and she took her BA at UCT (Michaelis). Textile design in London followed, then illustration, mainly freelancing in magazines back in South Africa. The Eighties saw her making her mark with postage stamp design – some thirty commemorative issues of South African stamps. Solo exhibitions at Karen McKerron Contemporary Art in Johannesburg, Everard Read Gallery in Johannesburg and Cape Town, The Lookout Gallery in Plettenburg Bay; and her works are in the SA National Gallery and other leading public and private collections.
Portrait of ERIC GALLO by Sheila Nowers
Sheila works four to five hours a day most days, no retirement in sight; her work has great charm in its apparent straightforwardness. The size is not an affectation or something she has chosen. To work on a larger scale becomes forced. “For me, my works take on the proportions of the Sistine Chapel ceiling” she says with a chuckle. “Mostly portraits these days and often commissioned works.” She describes herself as gregarious and has an admitted reputation as a conversationalist of note. Yet others have commented on her keeping a low profile. Time for a show in Hermanus, Ms Nowers. We need a chance to view (and acquire) your gems and share your conversations.
Selling
But what about the time when you want to dispose of art? There are a number of options. Take advice from your favourite gallery – If a piece is by a known South African artist, the gallery may wish to acquire it for stock or perhaps accept it on consignment to sell. Commission is negotiable. The newly-established WhaleRock Auctioneers who advertise on the ArtsPage, have regular sales, the next one on 10th October and they are local , no great traveling involved. They deal in the South African Masters but may also accept works from lesser names which houses like Stephan Welz/Sotheby’s, Christies, Bonhams and Strauss and Co will not handle.
New internet site
Then there is the internet; more and more people are becoming comfortable with trading on the net. There are the better-known websites like e-bay and gumtree which can be quite addictive. And now, based in Hermanus, Jason Children and his partners have yesterday launched a website www.theartmarket.co.za which they describe as South Africa’s first on-line selling and auction site dedicated purely to art.
From left to right: Steven Dayson, Jason Children, Roslynn ShawJason says “The site will allow artists, galleries and art enthusiasts to reach a broader market when selling or auctioning their art. By reaching a larger target audience, prospective sellers increase their chances of a sale. Sellers also create excitement by utilising the auction option within the site, which in turn creates a platform for faster sales.
Art buyers will have a site dedicated to art allowing them to browse, bid on or buy art from many different categories. Forums within the site will create communication between users and rating systems for buyers and sellers will effectively mean that users of the site will police themselves.”
Focus on art
When I asked Jason what the advantages of his site were, compared to long-established international sites, he pointed out the focus on art – one does not have to plow through a million other items that are on offer if it is specifically art you are looking for. And we locals have the additional advantage of seeing the developer of the site face–to-face. It is a home-grown product that has every possibility of taking off like a rocket into the webosphere.
I have tried the registration process (one has to register before one can buy or sell) and it was not too daunting. Certainly there are nine pages of Terms and Conditions and a further two-page Privacy Policy that you should look at, but I know from personal experience how adept ArtsPagers are at speed-reading.
The site is well presented and easy to navigate. Thumbnail pictures of the art are offered under many categories and a mouse click brings up the detail. Items may have a “Buy now” price quoted, as well as being up for auction bids for a period that the seller nominates.
Go-between
The Artmarket website acts only as a go-between. The actual payment and delivery of the item is arranged between buyer and seller. Credit card details are made available to the seller once a sale is confirmed. At the same time the Artmarket will debit its agreed commission to the seller. This is pitched at an attractive level and no charge is made until a work is actually sold. Traders are required to rate the service they experience with each other so regular users should soon build up a reputation for sound dealing practice. Ratings are disclosed on the site.
Some local galleries are already using the site and when the time comes that I must make space for fresh acquisitions, I too will try it. Most works of art that one buys are for keeps but there is from time to time the mistake needs to find a new home, or a cash crisis that means the inherited Gregoire has to go. Why not offer it on The Artmarket and try your luck?
And keep your news and views coming to niblos@telkomsa.net.
SKETCH - SHEILA NOWERS
Sheila NowersVermont-based Sheila Nowers lives in a comfortable and rather imposing house she designed and built. “When I have time on my hands, I like nothing better than to design houses. I must have done hundreds!” Though few of them have been realized in bricks and mortar, it is easy to understand that this accomplished artist relishes the detail which goes into architecture. The first thing that strikes one in Sheila’s work is the detail. She works in gouache/water colours to a small scale , 15x13 mm is a typical size (“not miniatures, really, they are a different art form”) and with an incredible eye for minutiae – the cat curling its tail around a leg or looking, as cats disconcertingly do, directly at you. There’s wry humour there, too; or perhaps whimsy, as past gallerist Karen McKerron puts it.
Her training was in graphics and she took her BA at UCT (Michaelis). Textile design in London followed, then illustration, mainly freelancing in magazines back in South Africa. The Eighties saw her making her mark with postage stamp design – some thirty commemorative issues of South African stamps. Solo exhibitions at Karen McKerron Contemporary Art in Johannesburg, Everard Read Gallery in Johannesburg and Cape Town, The Lookout Gallery in Plettenburg Bay; and her works are in the SA National Gallery and other leading public and private collections.
Portrait of ERIC GALLO by Sheila NowersSheila works four to five hours a day most days, no retirement in sight; her work has great charm in its apparent straightforwardness. The size is not an affectation or something she has chosen. To work on a larger scale becomes forced. “For me, my works take on the proportions of the Sistine Chapel ceiling” she says with a chuckle. “Mostly portraits these days and often commissioned works.” She describes herself as gregarious and has an admitted reputation as a conversationalist of note. Yet others have commented on her keeping a low profile. Time for a show in Hermanus, Ms Nowers. We need a chance to view (and acquire) your gems and share your conversations.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Spier Contemporary calling! - August 21, 2009
Good news for all, and I mean all, you artists out there. Spier Contemporary 2010 is calling for submissions for their biennial show in March 2010, taking place this year in the City Hall, Cape Town and moving on to Johannesburg and Durban. You can enter up to five items and the cut-off date is 30 October. You need to be 21 but no professional training is required and the entry process is by e-mail. Check the website www.spiercontemporary2010.co.za for the details.
Spier intends that the works be for sale (if the artist so wishes) and takes no commission; AND they give you R4 000 for each work selected for exhibition by their curatorial team, whether or not you are a prize-winner. So where are the drawbacks? Well, there were 2500 entries last year and only around 100 could be selected. Just a couple of months to go. Let’s have a good representation from Hermanus, art destination of the Western Cape.
Contrasts
Bellini is opening tomorrow at 18h30 with a trio of artists showing landcapes - Louis Ströh van der Walt, Elizabeth Miller-Vermeulen and Stellenbosch-based Vernon Swart, whose work “Franschhoek Vineyard” is illustrated.
Vernon Swart - Franschhoek Vineyard, 60cm x 40cm, Mixed media
This innovative gallery is on the move and an announcement may be made at the exhibition. While the regular patrons of Willie’s Cappuccino-Bar may miss the salty tang in the air, I am told their proposed new premises are bang in the centre of our gallery route.
Comings and goings
Since ArtsPage started nearly three years ago, I have had to add artspace after artspace to my database, and delete only two. This is really good and I encourage our galleries to byt vas and make the necessary adjustments to hold on through the winter. A leading gallery in Cape Town, Bell Roberts, closed its doors last month and in Johannesburg another long-established gallery has done likewise. But our mayor’s succinct comment at the opening of Gallery La Marey was straightforward: I did not make notes, the opening was far too buzzing for that, but essentially he said “Those businesses which deliver service will flourish – the ones who do not do so will disappear.”
The passage through from High Street to Chilli Pepper has been officially named “High Street Close.” It is home to a new gallery showcasing the works of Deidre Winer. More about this international arts person soon.
Johans Borman Gallery
Emphasis on this page is on local gallery news but Borman was a leading gallerist in Onrus for a good few years so it is appropriate to offer congratulations on his 10-20 Exhibition in Cape Town. He is celebrating twenty years in the art business, ten of them in Cape Town at his Upper Buitengracht Street gallery.
One of his protégées, Hennie Niemann Jnr, achieved a remarkable price for a recently-executed small portrait sold at Stephan Welz/Sotheby’s August auction in Johannesburg. The work, estimated at R12-16 000 must have been fiercely contested as the successful bidder paid nearly four times the top estimate. At the same sale, an attractive study in oils “Lisianthus in a Glass Vase” by well-known local arts personality Louis van Heerden was sold for R31 000.
Galerie Gregoire
At the gallery in Main Road, Onrus are some fifty works on loan to commemorate the centenary of the birth of Gregoire Boonzaier. Gregoire is indeed an icon who by his talent and prolific output won a special place on the living room walls and in the hearts of many. He was co-founder of the New Group together with Terence McCaw and Walter Battiss in 1938, breaking new ground in a conservative and parochial SA art scene. His long life and the fact that he remained creative until the end has meant that his works often appear at auction and new generations of artlovers get to hang a Gregoire of their own.
The exhibition has been arranged around themes and the display of drawings paired with linocuts enables a comparison of technique and mood to be made. Clearly not all of his themes can be shown but there is more than enough to delight. ArtsPage joins the artist’s son in expressing appreciation to owners who have made available choice works for this show which runs till 31 December.
Tretchi orchid
Another icon, South African by adoption, was Vladimir Tretchikoff. It appears that the work billed in the catalogue for the much-publicised Brett Kebble art auction as “Lost Orchid” was indeed not the original but may still have been by the artist. The buyer might need a bit more assurance than that to go through with the R3million sale.
Keep you news coming to me at niblos@telkomsa.net
Spier intends that the works be for sale (if the artist so wishes) and takes no commission; AND they give you R4 000 for each work selected for exhibition by their curatorial team, whether or not you are a prize-winner. So where are the drawbacks? Well, there were 2500 entries last year and only around 100 could be selected. Just a couple of months to go. Let’s have a good representation from Hermanus, art destination of the Western Cape.
Contrasts
Bellini is opening tomorrow at 18h30 with a trio of artists showing landcapes - Louis Ströh van der Walt, Elizabeth Miller-Vermeulen and Stellenbosch-based Vernon Swart, whose work “Franschhoek Vineyard” is illustrated.
Vernon Swart - Franschhoek Vineyard, 60cm x 40cm, Mixed mediaThis innovative gallery is on the move and an announcement may be made at the exhibition. While the regular patrons of Willie’s Cappuccino-Bar may miss the salty tang in the air, I am told their proposed new premises are bang in the centre of our gallery route.
Comings and goings
Since ArtsPage started nearly three years ago, I have had to add artspace after artspace to my database, and delete only two. This is really good and I encourage our galleries to byt vas and make the necessary adjustments to hold on through the winter. A leading gallery in Cape Town, Bell Roberts, closed its doors last month and in Johannesburg another long-established gallery has done likewise. But our mayor’s succinct comment at the opening of Gallery La Marey was straightforward: I did not make notes, the opening was far too buzzing for that, but essentially he said “Those businesses which deliver service will flourish – the ones who do not do so will disappear.”
The passage through from High Street to Chilli Pepper has been officially named “High Street Close.” It is home to a new gallery showcasing the works of Deidre Winer. More about this international arts person soon.
Johans Borman Gallery
Emphasis on this page is on local gallery news but Borman was a leading gallerist in Onrus for a good few years so it is appropriate to offer congratulations on his 10-20 Exhibition in Cape Town. He is celebrating twenty years in the art business, ten of them in Cape Town at his Upper Buitengracht Street gallery.
One of his protégées, Hennie Niemann Jnr, achieved a remarkable price for a recently-executed small portrait sold at Stephan Welz/Sotheby’s August auction in Johannesburg. The work, estimated at R12-16 000 must have been fiercely contested as the successful bidder paid nearly four times the top estimate. At the same sale, an attractive study in oils “Lisianthus in a Glass Vase” by well-known local arts personality Louis van Heerden was sold for R31 000.
Galerie Gregoire
At the gallery in Main Road, Onrus are some fifty works on loan to commemorate the centenary of the birth of Gregoire Boonzaier. Gregoire is indeed an icon who by his talent and prolific output won a special place on the living room walls and in the hearts of many. He was co-founder of the New Group together with Terence McCaw and Walter Battiss in 1938, breaking new ground in a conservative and parochial SA art scene. His long life and the fact that he remained creative until the end has meant that his works often appear at auction and new generations of artlovers get to hang a Gregoire of their own.
The exhibition has been arranged around themes and the display of drawings paired with linocuts enables a comparison of technique and mood to be made. Clearly not all of his themes can be shown but there is more than enough to delight. ArtsPage joins the artist’s son in expressing appreciation to owners who have made available choice works for this show which runs till 31 December.
Tretchi orchid
Another icon, South African by adoption, was Vladimir Tretchikoff. It appears that the work billed in the catalogue for the much-publicised Brett Kebble art auction as “Lost Orchid” was indeed not the original but may still have been by the artist. The buyer might need a bit more assurance than that to go through with the R3million sale.
Keep you news coming to me at niblos@telkomsa.net
Festivals near and far - August 7, 2009
Kalfiefees is in full swing this week-end, mostly theatre but lots of music and the visual arts, too. The Missions House Gallery in De Villiers Street, Onrus, is staying open till 18h00 each evening and is offering theatre guests a glass of sherry if they pop in before the evening performances. What’s to see? Well, among others, crisp new works in acrylics by Sharon Welman - intriguing compositions of shells; Di Johnson Ackerman’s closely-observed farmsteads and weathered timber piers; and if you are lucky, a portrait or two by popular Onrus-resident Hennie Niemann, Jnr.
Grahamstown Festival
Art also features strongly at Grahamstown each July. I have not been for several years but I asked Rodney Anderson, known for his passion for cinema, to comment on his trip last month.
“Although the primary magnet for our visits to Grahamstown National Arts Festival is the fine Film Festival curated by Trevor Steel-Taylor, we always visit as many of the fine art and sculpture exhibitions as we can within the time constraints.
Highlights in fine art were for me Jennifer Ord’s exhibition entitled “Obelisks and Epitaphs” a showing of mixed media works by the “hand maid / crone” ( her words). Her work, besides its complexity and innovation, shows great artistic craftsmanship with care in detail and great subtlety. The pieces included two-dimensional constructs and large sculptures and were produced in association with the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.
White bulls by Jennifer Ord
Nicholas Hlobo
The Standard Bank young artist awardee Nicholas Hlobo’s installation of strange large black rubber / lace and ribbon blobs grouped like odd black monsters in a dim red lighted room reminded me of bizarre creatures from an Ed Wood science fiction movie of the Fifties. They obviously were not to everyone’s taste despite his unique vision. [Hlobo’s show at Michael Stevenson Gallery in Woodstock has just ended. He has also been seen at the Tate Modern in London and featured on the front page of last week’s Sunday Times Review– a name to watch. PC]
Johan Badenhorst exhibited two- and three-dimensional works depicting swallows and hawks etc., in exuberant reds against grey back ground which caught my fancy.
The collection of modern Shona stone sculptures from three sculptors at the Provost impressed. Their unusual contemporary themes and an outstanding choice of indigenous stone with textures, striations and forms set them well apart from the usual repetitive tourist concepts.
Graham Jones’s sculptures, principally of animal heads mounted on modified tall wooden plant stands, drew attention to his angst regarding the industrial animal husbandry that is driven by the human consumption of meat. (This theme, interestingly, also appeared in the film The Lives of Animals by Alex Harvey .UK 2002) With animal heads of wood, stone, found objects with mixed media colourisation he created stark and poignantly-beautiful sculpture forms.
Maureen Quin
On the way home via Alexandria we had the pleasure of visiting the impressive sculpture garden and studio at the home of one of South Africa’s most talented sculptors, Maureen Quin. Some of the works, like “The Hunt,” were also part of a series that has taken a decade or more to complete. Mrs Quin was friendly, warm and forthcoming and offered us a personal insight into the themes and the artistic visions which gave rise to the many wonderful bronze sculptures and art pieces on view. See www.quin-art.co.za.” [Walker Bay Gallery has some of her works. PC]
Great to have this first-hand account of Rodney and Ebeline’s visit to our most important arts festival.
SNIPPETS
• Rossouw Modern’s satellite at Greyton is showing scenes in oils of Greyton by our Hermanus artist Annemarie Du Plooy. “In nature, when sunlight is added, the way colours change – it’s amazing!” says Annemarie.
Annemarie Du Plooy - Greyton Doorscape, oils
• Pierre Rossouw (no relation) has recently joined Rossouw Modern and will be on duty (with his own paintbrush in hand) at Greyton. And Elsie Minnaar is back, just for an hour or so each day, after her gruesome car accident. Major surgery has not dimmed her spirit and it is good to see her around again.
• If you are going to see the flowers up Nieuwoudtville way, do not miss “Flowerscapes 2009!” a show by Dale and son Mel Elliott with over 100 paintings celebrating nature’s colours. At Die Smidswinkel Restaurant till 12 September. The Elliotts hold regular workshops at their Villiersdorp art complex.
• Gallerey La Marey was declared officially open on Wednesday evening at their glossy Marine Square venue.
• News and views always welcome at niblos@telkomsa.net
Grahamstown Festival
Art also features strongly at Grahamstown each July. I have not been for several years but I asked Rodney Anderson, known for his passion for cinema, to comment on his trip last month.
“Although the primary magnet for our visits to Grahamstown National Arts Festival is the fine Film Festival curated by Trevor Steel-Taylor, we always visit as many of the fine art and sculpture exhibitions as we can within the time constraints.
Highlights in fine art were for me Jennifer Ord’s exhibition entitled “Obelisks and Epitaphs” a showing of mixed media works by the “hand maid / crone” ( her words). Her work, besides its complexity and innovation, shows great artistic craftsmanship with care in detail and great subtlety. The pieces included two-dimensional constructs and large sculptures and were produced in association with the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.
White bulls by Jennifer OrdNicholas Hlobo
The Standard Bank young artist awardee Nicholas Hlobo’s installation of strange large black rubber / lace and ribbon blobs grouped like odd black monsters in a dim red lighted room reminded me of bizarre creatures from an Ed Wood science fiction movie of the Fifties. They obviously were not to everyone’s taste despite his unique vision. [Hlobo’s show at Michael Stevenson Gallery in Woodstock has just ended. He has also been seen at the Tate Modern in London and featured on the front page of last week’s Sunday Times Review– a name to watch. PC]
Johan Badenhorst exhibited two- and three-dimensional works depicting swallows and hawks etc., in exuberant reds against grey back ground which caught my fancy.
The collection of modern Shona stone sculptures from three sculptors at the Provost impressed. Their unusual contemporary themes and an outstanding choice of indigenous stone with textures, striations and forms set them well apart from the usual repetitive tourist concepts.
Graham Jones’s sculptures, principally of animal heads mounted on modified tall wooden plant stands, drew attention to his angst regarding the industrial animal husbandry that is driven by the human consumption of meat. (This theme, interestingly, also appeared in the film The Lives of Animals by Alex Harvey .UK 2002) With animal heads of wood, stone, found objects with mixed media colourisation he created stark and poignantly-beautiful sculpture forms.
Maureen Quin
On the way home via Alexandria we had the pleasure of visiting the impressive sculpture garden and studio at the home of one of South Africa’s most talented sculptors, Maureen Quin. Some of the works, like “The Hunt,” were also part of a series that has taken a decade or more to complete. Mrs Quin was friendly, warm and forthcoming and offered us a personal insight into the themes and the artistic visions which gave rise to the many wonderful bronze sculptures and art pieces on view. See www.quin-art.co.za.” [Walker Bay Gallery has some of her works. PC]
Great to have this first-hand account of Rodney and Ebeline’s visit to our most important arts festival.
SNIPPETS
• Rossouw Modern’s satellite at Greyton is showing scenes in oils of Greyton by our Hermanus artist Annemarie Du Plooy. “In nature, when sunlight is added, the way colours change – it’s amazing!” says Annemarie.
Annemarie Du Plooy - Greyton Doorscape, oils• Pierre Rossouw (no relation) has recently joined Rossouw Modern and will be on duty (with his own paintbrush in hand) at Greyton. And Elsie Minnaar is back, just for an hour or so each day, after her gruesome car accident. Major surgery has not dimmed her spirit and it is good to see her around again.
• If you are going to see the flowers up Nieuwoudtville way, do not miss “Flowerscapes 2009!” a show by Dale and son Mel Elliott with over 100 paintings celebrating nature’s colours. At Die Smidswinkel Restaurant till 12 September. The Elliotts hold regular workshops at their Villiersdorp art complex.
• Gallerey La Marey was declared officially open on Wednesday evening at their glossy Marine Square venue.
• News and views always welcome at niblos@telkomsa.net
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
ArtsPage 24 July 2009 Workshops, whales, arts and craft
If you want colour in your life and have a free day on Wednesday next week, 29th July, then you will not want to miss the full-day art workshop being presented by the inimitable Neville Hickman at Gansbaai. Neville is an old friend of ArtsPage, in fact he was the first gallerist to identify totally with its aims and the vision of Hermanus as Art Destination. Designer of that magic Whale Fest logo, a composite jester’s cap and whale tail which served for several years to brighten up our Septembers, Neville shared a studio in one of the Godfrey Cottages on the seafront. He’s still close to the sea at the 5 star Klein Paradijs Guest Farm where he is Resident Artist but his workshop will be at Paul Pretorius Décor emporium in Dirkie Uys Street, Gansbaai.
Neville says “If you want to paint ‘ lekker los en vry’, exuberantly in bright, vibrant colours, to use music as an aid to make you fly, whether you are beginner or experienced artist, come!” The cost is just R100 and you can reserve your place and get more detail from Paul 079 020 8295 or Neville on 083 961 9931. If you want to get your mojo working, try some new techniques and maybe pick up some tips, this workshop promises to be casual and relaxed as well as instructive. Take your own art materials if you wish to participate to the full.
Arts and Craft
The line is so tenuous; those who know can argue for hours on definitions; what is art, what is craft? And does it matter? In the end you will just have to decide for yourself. Have a look at Wilina Drijfhout’s stained glass on her new website www.glasfeetjie.com. Or visit Lara Levey at Mila Mosaics in the newly-opened “passage” (that must be pronounced the French way) from High Street to the backdoor of Chilli Pepper. We had a buzzing, candle-lit party a week or two ago to launch the venue. There is a competition to choose the name and I am fully expecting to win the prize which is, I understand, some bottles of premium Port. Just right for the colder weather.
One of the shoplets in the quaint passage is a mini-gallery showing superb whale studies. The photographer is Dave De Beer who is also known for his wildlife and bird prints.
Kalfiefees
Supported by this newspaper, the Kalfiefees, (the annual dramatic challenge by Onrus to big brother Hermanus’s Whale Festival) is on from Thursday 6thAugust to Sunday 9th. Even if your Afrikaans is rudimentary, you will enjoy the music offerings and there is comedy - Tickle to Fine Leg, and drama/humour - David Butler giving us some authentic Herman Charles Bosman, both in English. I have not had news of fine arts exhibitions but The Mission’s House gallery in De Villiers Street always mounts a special show at Fees time.
Do keep your news and comments coming to me at niblos@telkomsa.net.
SKETCH - GALLERY LA MAREY
It was exciting, in May, to see a glossy new gallery opening in Marine Square on Mitchell Street. Now owners Rey and Marie Muller are getting ready for their official launch, by invitation only, in a week or two. Chatting to Rey, who has a background in broadcasting, I learned that they are no strangers to the art world, having a similarly-named gallery in Somerset West and one opening shortly in the Strand (where they previously were for seven years.) The picture they sent me for this sketch is a work in oils by Olga Hoffman entitled “Blouberg”.
Hoffman is part of a line-up of artists which La Marey represents, including Anna, Elzette Welgemoed, Janette Dykman, Tersia Duvenhage and Paul Schone. Paul will be at the gallery on Saturday 8th August to give a demonstration of his painting. In addition to works by the named artists, the gallery has a range of art not usually seen in Hermanus and they are proud of their bronzes by Gary Gordon and Xhanti Mpakama. There is a comprehensive offering of frames and also selected antiques to complement the art works. New local artists are not being overlooked; conscious that our Overberg artscene is vibrant, they plan to make space for artists whose work meets their criteria.
While either Marie or Rey will be on hand four days a week in peak season, the gallery will be staffed by Maryn who has retail experience in addition to a fine art training and Gamene who has also been involved in tourist accommodation and guest houses. They believe that their gallery and other new ones will help Hermanus on its way to achieving a similar status to Clarens in the Free State which tourists visit with art in mind. And the tourists are on their way, says Rey. “The World Cup will offer an even bigger slice of the pie with every tourist that lands in Cape Town, visiting Hermanus.”
Neville says “If you want to paint ‘ lekker los en vry’, exuberantly in bright, vibrant colours, to use music as an aid to make you fly, whether you are beginner or experienced artist, come!” The cost is just R100 and you can reserve your place and get more detail from Paul 079 020 8295 or Neville on 083 961 9931. If you want to get your mojo working, try some new techniques and maybe pick up some tips, this workshop promises to be casual and relaxed as well as instructive. Take your own art materials if you wish to participate to the full.
Arts and Craft
The line is so tenuous; those who know can argue for hours on definitions; what is art, what is craft? And does it matter? In the end you will just have to decide for yourself. Have a look at Wilina Drijfhout’s stained glass on her new website www.glasfeetjie.com. Or visit Lara Levey at Mila Mosaics in the newly-opened “passage” (that must be pronounced the French way) from High Street to the backdoor of Chilli Pepper. We had a buzzing, candle-lit party a week or two ago to launch the venue. There is a competition to choose the name and I am fully expecting to win the prize which is, I understand, some bottles of premium Port. Just right for the colder weather.
One of the shoplets in the quaint passage is a mini-gallery showing superb whale studies. The photographer is Dave De Beer who is also known for his wildlife and bird prints.
Kalfiefees
Supported by this newspaper, the Kalfiefees, (the annual dramatic challenge by Onrus to big brother Hermanus’s Whale Festival) is on from Thursday 6thAugust to Sunday 9th. Even if your Afrikaans is rudimentary, you will enjoy the music offerings and there is comedy - Tickle to Fine Leg, and drama/humour - David Butler giving us some authentic Herman Charles Bosman, both in English. I have not had news of fine arts exhibitions but The Mission’s House gallery in De Villiers Street always mounts a special show at Fees time.
Do keep your news and comments coming to me at niblos@telkomsa.net.
SKETCH - GALLERY LA MAREY
It was exciting, in May, to see a glossy new gallery opening in Marine Square on Mitchell Street. Now owners Rey and Marie Muller are getting ready for their official launch, by invitation only, in a week or two. Chatting to Rey, who has a background in broadcasting, I learned that they are no strangers to the art world, having a similarly-named gallery in Somerset West and one opening shortly in the Strand (where they previously were for seven years.) The picture they sent me for this sketch is a work in oils by Olga Hoffman entitled “Blouberg”.
Hoffman is part of a line-up of artists which La Marey represents, including Anna, Elzette Welgemoed, Janette Dykman, Tersia Duvenhage and Paul Schone. Paul will be at the gallery on Saturday 8th August to give a demonstration of his painting. In addition to works by the named artists, the gallery has a range of art not usually seen in Hermanus and they are proud of their bronzes by Gary Gordon and Xhanti Mpakama. There is a comprehensive offering of frames and also selected antiques to complement the art works. New local artists are not being overlooked; conscious that our Overberg artscene is vibrant, they plan to make space for artists whose work meets their criteria.
While either Marie or Rey will be on hand four days a week in peak season, the gallery will be staffed by Maryn who has retail experience in addition to a fine art training and Gamene who has also been involved in tourist accommodation and guest houses. They believe that their gallery and other new ones will help Hermanus on its way to achieving a similar status to Clarens in the Free State which tourists visit with art in mind. And the tourists are on their way, says Rey. “The World Cup will offer an even bigger slice of the pie with every tourist that lands in Cape Town, visiting Hermanus.”
Friday, July 3, 2009
ArtsPage 3 July 2009 Twenty-two to one
One doubtfully-attributed painting– in this case, a “Rembrandt” – was replaced by twenty-two other Dutch and Flemish paintings of the Golden Age when the arbiters of the day expressed concerns about the painting’s authenticity. It was the leading work in a collection (now housed in The Old Town House on Greenmarket Square) acquired in England by Max Michaelis at the turn of the last century and presented to the City of Cape Town. Mr Michaelis was later presented with a knighthood. Which is not as good as a baronetcy but nice to have if you move in London Society.
I was reminded of this tale by a reader who responded to my last column about fakes and forgeries. The work in question, “Young Lady holding a Glove” now graces the Irish National Gallery and is described, safely enough, as “School of Rembrandt”.
Frans Claerhout (1919-2002)
Sometimes I am surprised that anyone risks buying one of the often sentimental works by this prolific artist and man of the cloth. Born in Belgium, he came as a missionary to South Africa and stayed. His earlier works had a certain quality of freshness and the SA National Gallery acquired a couple in the ’60s. The artist revealed in 2002 that a Bloemfontein dealer he had known for many years had printed hundreds of copies of his work and sold them as originals. Scandal!
A local gallery owner told me of a client who, several years ago, brought in three “Claerhouts”. One he intended to keep and the other two were to be offered for sale though the gallery. He had just bought them at an auction, he said proudly, “at a very good price.” Alas, although the signatures looked familiar, the works themselves were of a very different style to Claerhout’s. The crisp advice he received was to take them right back to the hall and cancel his cheque.
Seller beware?
“Never mind ‘caveat emptor,’ it’s the seller who should beware’ said a caller the other day. He was worried that pushy buyers of art might take advantage of little old ladies who happened to have a painting by Gregoire or other bankable name on their walls. Made me think of the stories of hard-as-nails dealers who scoured the Platteland in the fifties and sixties, offering brand-new Formica kitchen tables (AND six matching chairs!) for simple country folk’s ancient yellowwood pieces, usually covered in layers of enamel paint. “What do you recommend the old ladies should do?” I asked. “Always get a second opinion” he replied. Seems sensible to me.
Derrick Benzien of Onrus Gallery and a regular advertiser to buy South African masterworks, explained how he responds to enquiries. He offers an evaluation service and then three options; one figure if the owner wants to sell outright; a sale on consignment basis with a higher price and an agreed commission to be deducted; or a sale at auction through his new Whale Rock Auctioneers – for the sellers who can afford to risk a bit in the hope of maximizing the return.
It is a good idea, no matter whether you are selling art or objets or collectibles, to find a dealer in that field to give an opinion of worth. If you can get the item correctly identified and described, you are half way to getting a correct price. And of course there will be a difference between what you are offered and what the dealer will mark it up for sale.
Art Courses
At 11 Sherwood Avenue in Onrus is the studio of Pieter Vermaak, local artist and art teacher. No fakes or forgeries here, just an enjoyable time with a congenial teacher. The most recent three-day course finished yesterday. My picture shows Pieter and his students with popular model Rosie in the centre. You can reach him on 082 460 2959.
Keep you news and views coming to me at niblos@telkomsa.net.
SKETCH - UWE PFAFF
Self-portrait with school of thought going through my head
It’s a distinctive name for an artist in South Africa. Useful, if you intend to market your art properly. Uwe says he’s not that good at marketing himself. This is surely just modesty because he has a slick website www.uwpfaff.com and his dry sense of humour, enthusiasm and no-nonsense approach make a winning combination.
I knew him by his stainless steel sculptures, highly polished with a microns-thin nickel coating, pierced like an oversize jigsaw puzzle before the pieces fit together; positive metal and negative black space. The themes are figures, fish, any symbol that fits this inventive artist’s mindset.
His designs are hand-drawn, converted to computer and flame-cut from sheets of stainless steel. The larger pieces are limited editions of 5 to 7, the smaller figures run to 12. Finishing is a personal matter – time-consuming, effortful but satisfying for the artist who is reluctant to delegate this chore. I mention Damien Hirst whose works are largely constructed for him. Uwe is unimpressed. For him, the polishing process bonds him more closely with each piece. He would like his sculptures to catch the eye, to talk to you and to provoke response.
A mechanical engineer by training, Uwe (pronounced Oo-vay) came to this country from Germany in 1970 and worked in industrial design. Five years later he took his first painting and sculpture classes. Later, after time at the Ruth Prowse School of Art in Woodstock, he was selected for the 1982 Cape Town Biennale, with both an etching and a sculpture in soapstone. He has also worked successfully in wood, paints, ceramics, Perspex and glass as well as metal.
“My ‘metal pictures’ have done well for me” he says. He has even explored their ringing tones when struck - the search and experimentation urge is built into this man for all seasons. “Many artists have become expert at a tangent of their creativity but the formula that works becomes the monkey’s paw in the bottle of their own growth.” Painting is due for a come-back, he feels. Bold colours and primitive symbols are calling to be put down on paper again.
Uwe has his studio at Stonehaven, artist Gail Catlin’s atmospheric lodge above De Bos Dam. The lovely rambling stone house was threatened by fire recently but survived after some tense hours. I would be surprised if elemental fire-blackened objects do not find an echo in Uwe’s work somewhere.
His sculptures are sold internationally but you will also find them Cape Town; in Hermanus, Walker Bay Art Gallery has a display of representative pieces. Works have been acquired by the Friends of the SA National Gallery, and for the Sanlam, Sasol and Rand Mercant Bank collections, among others. Perhaps we can persuade him to have an exhibition soon. Hermanus needs to see more of the varied art of Uwe Pfaff.
I was reminded of this tale by a reader who responded to my last column about fakes and forgeries. The work in question, “Young Lady holding a Glove” now graces the Irish National Gallery and is described, safely enough, as “School of Rembrandt”.
Frans Claerhout (1919-2002)
Sometimes I am surprised that anyone risks buying one of the often sentimental works by this prolific artist and man of the cloth. Born in Belgium, he came as a missionary to South Africa and stayed. His earlier works had a certain quality of freshness and the SA National Gallery acquired a couple in the ’60s. The artist revealed in 2002 that a Bloemfontein dealer he had known for many years had printed hundreds of copies of his work and sold them as originals. Scandal!
A local gallery owner told me of a client who, several years ago, brought in three “Claerhouts”. One he intended to keep and the other two were to be offered for sale though the gallery. He had just bought them at an auction, he said proudly, “at a very good price.” Alas, although the signatures looked familiar, the works themselves were of a very different style to Claerhout’s. The crisp advice he received was to take them right back to the hall and cancel his cheque.
Seller beware?
“Never mind ‘caveat emptor,’ it’s the seller who should beware’ said a caller the other day. He was worried that pushy buyers of art might take advantage of little old ladies who happened to have a painting by Gregoire or other bankable name on their walls. Made me think of the stories of hard-as-nails dealers who scoured the Platteland in the fifties and sixties, offering brand-new Formica kitchen tables (AND six matching chairs!) for simple country folk’s ancient yellowwood pieces, usually covered in layers of enamel paint. “What do you recommend the old ladies should do?” I asked. “Always get a second opinion” he replied. Seems sensible to me.
Derrick Benzien of Onrus Gallery and a regular advertiser to buy South African masterworks, explained how he responds to enquiries. He offers an evaluation service and then three options; one figure if the owner wants to sell outright; a sale on consignment basis with a higher price and an agreed commission to be deducted; or a sale at auction through his new Whale Rock Auctioneers – for the sellers who can afford to risk a bit in the hope of maximizing the return.
It is a good idea, no matter whether you are selling art or objets or collectibles, to find a dealer in that field to give an opinion of worth. If you can get the item correctly identified and described, you are half way to getting a correct price. And of course there will be a difference between what you are offered and what the dealer will mark it up for sale.
Art Courses
At 11 Sherwood Avenue in Onrus is the studio of Pieter Vermaak, local artist and art teacher. No fakes or forgeries here, just an enjoyable time with a congenial teacher. The most recent three-day course finished yesterday. My picture shows Pieter and his students with popular model Rosie in the centre. You can reach him on 082 460 2959.
Keep you news and views coming to me at niblos@telkomsa.net.
SKETCH - UWE PFAFF
Self-portrait with school of thought going through my headIt’s a distinctive name for an artist in South Africa. Useful, if you intend to market your art properly. Uwe says he’s not that good at marketing himself. This is surely just modesty because he has a slick website www.uwpfaff.com and his dry sense of humour, enthusiasm and no-nonsense approach make a winning combination.
I knew him by his stainless steel sculptures, highly polished with a microns-thin nickel coating, pierced like an oversize jigsaw puzzle before the pieces fit together; positive metal and negative black space. The themes are figures, fish, any symbol that fits this inventive artist’s mindset.
His designs are hand-drawn, converted to computer and flame-cut from sheets of stainless steel. The larger pieces are limited editions of 5 to 7, the smaller figures run to 12. Finishing is a personal matter – time-consuming, effortful but satisfying for the artist who is reluctant to delegate this chore. I mention Damien Hirst whose works are largely constructed for him. Uwe is unimpressed. For him, the polishing process bonds him more closely with each piece. He would like his sculptures to catch the eye, to talk to you and to provoke response.
A mechanical engineer by training, Uwe (pronounced Oo-vay) came to this country from Germany in 1970 and worked in industrial design. Five years later he took his first painting and sculpture classes. Later, after time at the Ruth Prowse School of Art in Woodstock, he was selected for the 1982 Cape Town Biennale, with both an etching and a sculpture in soapstone. He has also worked successfully in wood, paints, ceramics, Perspex and glass as well as metal.
“My ‘metal pictures’ have done well for me” he says. He has even explored their ringing tones when struck - the search and experimentation urge is built into this man for all seasons. “Many artists have become expert at a tangent of their creativity but the formula that works becomes the monkey’s paw in the bottle of their own growth.” Painting is due for a come-back, he feels. Bold colours and primitive symbols are calling to be put down on paper again.
Uwe has his studio at Stonehaven, artist Gail Catlin’s atmospheric lodge above De Bos Dam. The lovely rambling stone house was threatened by fire recently but survived after some tense hours. I would be surprised if elemental fire-blackened objects do not find an echo in Uwe’s work somewhere.
His sculptures are sold internationally but you will also find them Cape Town; in Hermanus, Walker Bay Art Gallery has a display of representative pieces. Works have been acquired by the Friends of the SA National Gallery, and for the Sanlam, Sasol and Rand Mercant Bank collections, among others. Perhaps we can persuade him to have an exhibition soon. Hermanus needs to see more of the varied art of Uwe Pfaff.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
ArtsPage 19 June 2009 Let the buyer beware…
“A little learning is a dangerous thing;/Drink deep or taste not the Pierian spring:/There, shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,/And drinking largely sobers us again.”
So said Alexander Pope (1688-1744) and I am not going to disagree. Particularly when it comes to art and spotting something that is not quite “right.” You really do need a lot of learning. There is simply no shortcut to checking an artwork’s authenticity if the artist is not around to verify it. Provenance becomes vital; how did the work reach you, who were the previous owners, has it passed through the hands of a reputable dealer or auction house? Appearances alone can be deceptive – perhaps even intended to deceive.
Fakes and forgeries
When an artist’s work begins to command high prices, there is often a temptation among the less scrupulous to cash in on the less knowledgeable. Or the greedy. Or the gullible. We want so badly to believe we have discovered an overlooked masterpiece that we ignore the obvious warning signs. If you are going entirely on the name, you may lose out. After all, the best artists have off-days and their lesser works are never going to be worth top dollar. Local expert Hennie Niemann says, “Buy a good painting, not a good name; then, even if it is not by whom you think it is, you still have a decent work to enjoy.”
Where do fakes come from?
Someone who has a talent for copying may decide to reproduce a picture or make a painting in the style of an established painter and add the required signature. A quicker way is to discover an authentic painting, perhaps a bona fide student’s copy done to practice technique, perhaps a work by another artist in a similar style, and forge a signature. In a few cases, the picture may be authentic but the artist, for reasons of his own, may not have signed it. Then the temptation is strong to add a signature and increase the value. Alas, if discovered, it has the opposite effect.
With lithographs, the work may be essentially identical, just an edition number and signature is added. I am referring to contemporary fakes of contemporary artists – when it comes to Old Masters, the game is upped and there are technical ways of checking the composition of canvasses, paints etc and processes like x-ray and spectroscopic examinations may be employed.
Tretchikoff under the spotlight
“The Lost Orchid”, an oil by SA Master Vladimir Tretchikoff , (illustrated) was sold for R3,2million at the much-hyped Brett Kebbble Auction last month in Johannesburg. Doubts have been cast on its authenticity and the auctioneers are remaining non-committal until their expert, a professor from the University of Pretoria, has given an opinion. Members of Tretchikoff’s family are being consulted, too. Undoubtedly the provenance will be closely checked, as well as comparison of the brushstrokes and signature against any other reproductions of the work in books of reference. There is a lot at stake.
Domsaitis (1880-1965)
Pranas Domsaitis (his Lithuanian name) was born as Franz Domscheit in East Prussia and came to SA in 1949. Already established as a painter with German Impressionist/Expressionist influences, his works were often religious and , in SA, moody Karoo landscapes, with occasional flower pieces. He tackled the same subject repeatedly and at his death there were several hundred works of varying quality and completeness in his studio. It was rumoured that his wife arranged for the finishing touches and even the signatures on some works as dealers were offered canvasses with moist paint several years after his death.
The illustrated painting, which cropped up some years ago in an auction house catalogue, was spotted by the eagle eye of Hennie Niemann as being an identical copy of an oil in the SA National Gallery –“Stormy Landscape.” A late work, the whirling crowds were described as symbols of the human spirit, contrasting with the two houses, symbols of life on earth. The National Gallery had issued prints of this work so Niemann was able to compare and note the uncertain treatment of the clouds and the doubtful signature; he drew this to the auctioneer’s attention and the work was not offered for sale.
I am indebted for this tale to Mr Niemann, a partner in the Onrus Gallery and acknowledged for his experience, particularly in respect of local artists like Gregoire, Wallace, etc. And as I have a work by Domsaitis, almost indistinguishable from one sold at auction some months ago in Cape Town, I am debating whether I should let him pass judgment on it. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.
The future of fakes
Sad thing is, once a fake/forgery is identified, a reputable auctioneer will quietly withdraw it from sale and return it to the owner. It is not destroyed or indelibly marked FAKE so, after a while, it will probably appear in a small town sale and seek another willing innocent buyer. There it will remain, for years, perhaps decades, until the heirs of the owner (who may even have fought over the “famous name” work) again offer it for sale.
Claerhout, Pierneef, Gregoire Boonzaier, Tinus de Jong, even Nelson Mandela – anyone whose work is attracting high prices, distinctive and not too difficult to copy, may have admirers who wish to relieve you of your art money. So do take expert advice in private deals or buy from a reputable dealer - and remember the golden rule “If it seems to be too good to be true, it probably is…” Caveat emptor!
If you have any personal stories about art fakes, let me know at niblos@telkomsa.net.
SNIPPETS
• The Mission’s House Gallery, Onrus, will reopen on 27th June after their winter break.
• Whale Rock Auctioneers held a successful fine art, carpet and collectibles sale on 6 June at their Hermanus rooms. Noted Cape Town auctioneer Kenny Finberg held the hammer and the highest price of the day was for a Hugo Naudé seascape.
• Mila Mosaics, (owned by Lara Levey who shared her expertise for the exciting murals at Enlighten Trust), is moving 1 July to the funky new courtyard at 3 High St between Melony’s and Haute Rizelle – or you can enter through Chilli Pepper at 10 Mitchell Street. Art, mirrors, mosaics and craft material.
• The SA Art Information Directory 2009 is now available – R169 from info@saaid.co.za or call 021 424 7733. A cross-country list of galleries and art events. Compiled by the publishers of the splendid SA Art Times, free each month at selected galleries.
• Bonhams’ next SA art sale is in London, 13 & 14 October – contact Penny Culverwell on 011 783 1813 or sapictures@bonhams.com.
• Stephan Welz/Sotheby’s are inviting consignments for their Cape Town sale, 20/21 October. SA paintings, furniture, silver and ceramics. Call 021 794 6461
“A little learning is a dangerous thing;/Drink deep or taste not the Pierian spring:/There, shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,/And drinking largely sobers us again.”
So said Alexander Pope (1688-1744) and I am not going to disagree. Particularly when it comes to art and spotting something that is not quite “right.” You really do need a lot of learning. There is simply no shortcut to checking an artwork’s authenticity if the artist is not around to verify it. Provenance becomes vital; how did the work reach you, who were the previous owners, has it passed through the hands of a reputable dealer or auction house? Appearances alone can be deceptive – perhaps even intended to deceive.
Fakes and forgeries
When an artist’s work begins to command high prices, there is often a temptation among the less scrupulous to cash in on the less knowledgeable. Or the greedy. Or the gullible. We want so badly to believe we have discovered an overlooked masterpiece that we ignore the obvious warning signs. If you are going entirely on the name, you may lose out. After all, the best artists have off-days and their lesser works are never going to be worth top dollar. Local expert Hennie Niemann says, “Buy a good painting, not a good name; then, even if it is not by whom you think it is, you still have a decent work to enjoy.”
Where do fakes come from?
Someone who has a talent for copying may decide to reproduce a picture or make a painting in the style of an established painter and add the required signature. A quicker way is to discover an authentic painting, perhaps a bona fide student’s copy done to practice technique, perhaps a work by another artist in a similar style, and forge a signature. In a few cases, the picture may be authentic but the artist, for reasons of his own, may not have signed it. Then the temptation is strong to add a signature and increase the value. Alas, if discovered, it has the opposite effect.
With lithographs, the work may be essentially identical, just an edition number and signature is added. I am referring to contemporary fakes of contemporary artists – when it comes to Old Masters, the game is upped and there are technical ways of checking the composition of canvasses, paints etc and processes like x-ray and spectroscopic examinations may be employed.
Tretchikoff under the spotlight
“The Lost Orchid”, an oil by SA Master Vladimir Tretchikoff , (illustrated) was sold for R3,2million at the much-hyped Brett Kebbble Auction last month in Johannesburg. Doubts have been cast on its authenticity and the auctioneers are remaining non-committal until their expert, a professor from the University of Pretoria, has given an opinion. Members of Tretchikoff’s family are being consulted, too. Undoubtedly the provenance will be closely checked, as well as comparison of the brushstrokes and signature against any other reproductions of the work in books of reference. There is a lot at stake.
Domsaitis (1880-1965)
Pranas Domsaitis (his Lithuanian name) was born as Franz Domscheit in East Prussia and came to SA in 1949. Already established as a painter with German Impressionist/Expressionist influences, his works were often religious and , in SA, moody Karoo landscapes, with occasional flower pieces. He tackled the same subject repeatedly and at his death there were several hundred works of varying quality and completeness in his studio. It was rumoured that his wife arranged for the finishing touches and even the signatures on some works as dealers were offered canvasses with moist paint several years after his death.
The illustrated painting, which cropped up some years ago in an auction house catalogue, was spotted by the eagle eye of Hennie Niemann as being an identical copy of an oil in the SA National Gallery –“Stormy Landscape.” A late work, the whirling crowds were described as symbols of the human spirit, contrasting with the two houses, symbols of life on earth. The National Gallery had issued prints of this work so Niemann was able to compare and note the uncertain treatment of the clouds and the doubtful signature; he drew this to the auctioneer’s attention and the work was not offered for sale.
I am indebted for this tale to Mr Niemann, a partner in the Onrus Gallery and acknowledged for his experience, particularly in respect of local artists like Gregoire, Wallace, etc. And as I have a work by Domsaitis, almost indistinguishable from one sold at auction some months ago in Cape Town, I am debating whether I should let him pass judgment on it. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.
The future of fakes
Sad thing is, once a fake/forgery is identified, a reputable auctioneer will quietly withdraw it from sale and return it to the owner. It is not destroyed or indelibly marked FAKE so, after a while, it will probably appear in a small town sale and seek another willing innocent buyer. There it will remain, for years, perhaps decades, until the heirs of the owner (who may even have fought over the “famous name” work) again offer it for sale.
Claerhout, Pierneef, Gregoire Boonzaier, Tinus de Jong, even Nelson Mandela – anyone whose work is attracting high prices, distinctive and not too difficult to copy, may have admirers who wish to relieve you of your art money. So do take expert advice in private deals or buy from a reputable dealer - and remember the golden rule “If it seems to be too good to be true, it probably is…” Caveat emptor!
If you have any personal stories about art fakes, let me know at niblos@telkomsa.net.
SNIPPETS
• The Mission’s House Gallery, Onrus, will reopen on 27th June after their winter break.
• Whale Rock Auctioneers held a successful fine art, carpet and collectibles sale on 6 June at their Hermanus rooms. Noted Cape Town auctioneer Kenny Finberg held the hammer and the highest price of the day was for a Hugo Naudé seascape.
• Mila Mosaics, (owned by Lara Levey who shared her expertise for the exciting murals at Enlighten Trust), is moving 1 July to the funky new courtyard at 3 High St between Melony’s and Haute Rizelle – or you can enter through Chilli Pepper at 10 Mitchell Street. Art, mirrors, mosaics and craft material.
• The SA Art Information Directory 2009 is now available – R169 from info@saaid.co.za or call 021 424 7733. A cross-country list of galleries and art events. Compiled by the publishers of the splendid SA Art Times, free each month at selected galleries.
• Bonhams’ next SA art sale is in London, 13 & 14 October – contact Penny Culverwell on 011 783 1813 or sapictures@bonhams.com.
• Stephan Welz/Sotheby’s are inviting consignments for their Cape Town sale, 20/21 October. SA paintings, furniture, silver and ceramics. Call 021 794 6461
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
ArtsPage Friday 5 June 2009 - Drums of Africa
Oh the excitement! My mailbag was overflowing this fortnight as readers e-mailed me (and my editor) commenting on the ArtsPage and on the art scene in our area. And not a single letter from “Disgusted” of Sandbaai. Well, I must be doing something right. Or not, depending on your standpoint.
Getting to know about art
Certainly the galleries are feeling the winter pinch and even the most forbidding will be pleased if you drop in. To build one’s art knowledge, there is no better way than to browse regularly at our better galleries. Start at Abalone where you will find the newly-hung series of Cecil Skotnes woodcuts dating from 1976, available individually in simple frames – he captured Africa in bold and idiosyncratic forms and colours. Check out what the galleries are offering. We have a glorious range from classic to kitsch. Exposure will train your eye and mind to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Grande Provence
To Franschhoek on Sunday in the company of Karen McKerron, 18 years a leading gallerist in Johannesburg and now living an art-surrounded life in Eastcliff. Franschhoek is out of range of the ArtsPage but I like occasionally to mention it to alert our galleries; there is the lingering threat that the pretty wineland town could overtake Greater Hermanus as Art Destination if we do not get our message across by joint marketing. They have a superb sepia brochure , just a one-page A3 sheet, but stylishly presented and showing a diagrammatic art route surrounded by pictorial advertisements. Where we have whales, they go for the French connection with food, book fests and music.
Maritz and Dhont
We were on our way to see Jacques Dhont’s eco-sculptures and Nicolaas Maritz’s enamels on board, at Grande Provence’s lofty exhibition space. A treat, and on show till 30 June. According to Dhont, his powerful sculptures of woven wattle bark are portraits of contemporary life: reflections on modern man as a scavenger; the relentless passing of time - forewarning about man’s troubled relations with nature. “The Earth has become an island prison where man may be concerned and become extinct because of a terrible lack of insight, energy and effort.” In the context of this environmental catastrophe, the sculptures seem quaint and nostalgic: a tribute to human folly.
Maritz is an established artist with works in most of the major national collections. His landscapes are stylized and his large abstracts hint at musical rhythms. The works of sculptor and painter work well together, their earthy tones resonating in the airy gallery. In opening the show, Catherine Du Toit said that what she personally admired in both Nicolaas and Jacques was their indomitable spirit, their commitment to their own artistic vision. “They are not driven by commercial, political or sociological objectives. They make art, not ‘documentary evidence’ as Nicolaas puts it, because it is in their nature to do so.”
Recycled dreams
Izibini Life Lounge is the name of the quaint studio on Voëlklip’s lower Main Road ( 10th Street). It occupies the premises known as the Old Post Office and was, in a subsequent reincarnation, a popular steakhouse. Now outside on the pavement you will spot weird and wonderful artifacts made up of scrap iron, driftwood, the detritus of our modern world. It is the passion of the owners, architecturally-trained “AD” Strydom and artistic Yolanda, to take unconsidered trifles and add their magic touch to create pieces of decorative art. The circular mirror fragment is set in an angry sunburst of metal – octopus-like; the chandeliers of white-sprayed found objects; the distinctively-backed barstools – you will recognize them when you see them. And the braziers, whether you call them braai drums, patio warmers or good old konkas will be a talking point. No concession to “Beach Palace Interior” design, the items are rawly honest. Not for the fainthearted!
But hey, they also serve good cake and serious coffee so if you think this is Baghdad Café come to Hermanus, you could be on target. The “second life” they give to their objects is vibrant and distinctive and very much of Africa.
Another Gallery?
Well, almost. It is the spacious auction rooms of Whale Rock Auctioneers at Adam Street, Hermanus Business Park. When they are not actually displaying their items for auction, (and the next art, antiques and collectibles sale is from 10h00 this Saturday), there will be a changing display of artworks on show. The catalogue for tomorrow’s sale is on the web at www.whalerockauctioneers.co.za.
Remember that your news and views are always welcome at niblos@telkomsa.net.
Getting to know about art
Certainly the galleries are feeling the winter pinch and even the most forbidding will be pleased if you drop in. To build one’s art knowledge, there is no better way than to browse regularly at our better galleries. Start at Abalone where you will find the newly-hung series of Cecil Skotnes woodcuts dating from 1976, available individually in simple frames – he captured Africa in bold and idiosyncratic forms and colours. Check out what the galleries are offering. We have a glorious range from classic to kitsch. Exposure will train your eye and mind to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Grande Provence
To Franschhoek on Sunday in the company of Karen McKerron, 18 years a leading gallerist in Johannesburg and now living an art-surrounded life in Eastcliff. Franschhoek is out of range of the ArtsPage but I like occasionally to mention it to alert our galleries; there is the lingering threat that the pretty wineland town could overtake Greater Hermanus as Art Destination if we do not get our message across by joint marketing. They have a superb sepia brochure , just a one-page A3 sheet, but stylishly presented and showing a diagrammatic art route surrounded by pictorial advertisements. Where we have whales, they go for the French connection with food, book fests and music.
Maritz and Dhont
We were on our way to see Jacques Dhont’s eco-sculptures and Nicolaas Maritz’s enamels on board, at Grande Provence’s lofty exhibition space. A treat, and on show till 30 June. According to Dhont, his powerful sculptures of woven wattle bark are portraits of contemporary life: reflections on modern man as a scavenger; the relentless passing of time - forewarning about man’s troubled relations with nature. “The Earth has become an island prison where man may be concerned and become extinct because of a terrible lack of insight, energy and effort.” In the context of this environmental catastrophe, the sculptures seem quaint and nostalgic: a tribute to human folly.
Maritz is an established artist with works in most of the major national collections. His landscapes are stylized and his large abstracts hint at musical rhythms. The works of sculptor and painter work well together, their earthy tones resonating in the airy gallery. In opening the show, Catherine Du Toit said that what she personally admired in both Nicolaas and Jacques was their indomitable spirit, their commitment to their own artistic vision. “They are not driven by commercial, political or sociological objectives. They make art, not ‘documentary evidence’ as Nicolaas puts it, because it is in their nature to do so.”
Recycled dreams
Izibini Life Lounge is the name of the quaint studio on Voëlklip’s lower Main Road ( 10th Street). It occupies the premises known as the Old Post Office and was, in a subsequent reincarnation, a popular steakhouse. Now outside on the pavement you will spot weird and wonderful artifacts made up of scrap iron, driftwood, the detritus of our modern world. It is the passion of the owners, architecturally-trained “AD” Strydom and artistic Yolanda, to take unconsidered trifles and add their magic touch to create pieces of decorative art. The circular mirror fragment is set in an angry sunburst of metal – octopus-like; the chandeliers of white-sprayed found objects; the distinctively-backed barstools – you will recognize them when you see them. And the braziers, whether you call them braai drums, patio warmers or good old konkas will be a talking point. No concession to “Beach Palace Interior” design, the items are rawly honest. Not for the fainthearted!
But hey, they also serve good cake and serious coffee so if you think this is Baghdad Café come to Hermanus, you could be on target. The “second life” they give to their objects is vibrant and distinctive and very much of Africa.
Another Gallery?
Well, almost. It is the spacious auction rooms of Whale Rock Auctioneers at Adam Street, Hermanus Business Park. When they are not actually displaying their items for auction, (and the next art, antiques and collectibles sale is from 10h00 this Saturday), there will be a changing display of artworks on show. The catalogue for tomorrow’s sale is on the web at www.whalerockauctioneers.co.za.
Remember that your news and views are always welcome at niblos@telkomsa.net.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
ArtsPage 22 May 2009 The expanding pond
A busy fortnight it has been, what with the much-hyped Brett Kebble Sale in Johannesburg (R55 million and some important Irma Sterns still to sell) and the Sotheby’s/Welz sale on 26/27 May at Kirstenbosch. But let us not lose sight of the ripples in our own expanding pond, there are plenty of local happenings to share with you.
New galleries.
Even this chilly economic climate cannot keep the artistically-optimistic from opening galleries. A warm welcome to La Marey in Marine Square, that glamorous new development between Mitchell and High streets in Hermanus. Rey Muller and his wife Marie have a gallery (also La Marey, no prizes for guessing where that name came from) in Somerset Mall and another one opening in the Strand next month. The aim is to provide something for all tastes and they are happy to talk to local artists and ceramists about representation. Maryn Burger and Gamene Simes are the two young ladies who will look after the gallery with Rey in frequent attendance.
The other new opening is a town-centre relaunch by the well-known gallerist Cobus Kershoff of his gallery “4 Art Sake”. He is now in Royal Centre - the little square alongside Kentucky Fried - and his offerings of selected artworks go right up to the ceiling. There is not room to swing more than a very small kitten but cheerful Cobus feels his artspot is correctly positioned and he looks forward to greeting his old clientele and catching the passing trade, too.
When Walker Bay Art Gallery started up in Main Road, the owner Francois Grobbelaar said, in response to an enquiry whether there were “too many galleries” in Hermanus - “I would be happy if the whole road were filled with them!” Spot on, Francois, you know all about Clarens in the Free State and how it attracts visitors as an Art Destination; that is where we are headed, too, if our galleries want to co-operate.
Classes and crits
At Overberg Art 27/29 May or 3/5 June, you can participate in a three-day Art Retreat led by Hettie Saaiman, artist and art teacher, who will enable you to create your own flower composition using acrylics on canvas. Maximum of eight per course and lunches at luxurious guesthouse Selkirk House are included. Check with Corrie on 082 477 9192.
Shelley Adams is offering a crit class entitled “Colour Connections” on Monday 1 June. Call 072 677 6277.
Fred Rousseau presents personalized art classes for all levels at The Art Shop, Tuesday or Thursday mornings. Call 072 431 9124.
Framing opportunity
Still one more week to take up the winter discount framing offer at Frames for Africa, The Framery/Onrus and the Mission’s House Gallery. The coupon with details was in the Hermanus Times of 8 May. As my artistic friend Cecilie says, “Walala wa sala”. (If you snooze, you lose.)
Mosaic
“A form or work of art in which pictures are produced by joining together minute pieces of glass, stone etc. of different colours”. My Concise Oxford gives the derivation from the Greek mousaikos – “of the Muses” which is a pretty concept. The muses are well represented in mosaic on the walls of Enlighten Education Trust Centre’s smart new building in Swartdam Road – the panels were done under guidance from Morag Swanepoel with Lara from Mila Mosaics, the specialist craft and art studio in Mitchell Street.
What an excellent way of bringing vibrant art into the lives of all who pass. The official unveiling is at 16h00 on Thursday 21 May.
And at Onrus Gallery, mosaic in the form of textile art is on display. A splendid quilt “Carnival in Rio” created by Kathryn Celliers-Louw, it was awarded a first prize at last year’s National Quilt Festival. The medium : 400 blocks of hand-dyed cotton embellished with cotton prints embossed with gold metallic thread and beads. The effect: breath-taking.
This artwork was recently used as illustration for a local lecture on colour and the students suggested it be put on display. It will be shown at the gallery for two weeks.
Creation
You would expect a splendid new cellar, tasting room and restaurant which carries the name Creation to have some striking art. Enthusiastic co-owner Carol Martin showed me the impressive works she commissioned from local artist and gallerist Leon Müller and the intriguing fibreglass, steel and paint sculptures of Brendon Cahill and the glass works of Jeannette Unite which are for sale. 18k up the Hemel en Aarde Road -
Cecil Skotnes (1926-2009)
Abalone Gallery is mounting “Homage á Cecil Skotnes”, opening on Saturday 30 May at noon. This seminal artist with his synthesis of European Modernism with an African idiom, used distinctive incised wood blocks and woodcuts as well as oils. He has left a powerful legacy, both in his prolific body of work and in his influence on South African art, particularly on those black artists who studied under him at the Polly Street Art Centre in Johannesburg in the fifties.
The massive panels in the Monument to the 1820 Settlers in Grahamstown were installed in the 1980s. Allegorical, with a theme of the seasons, these form an unforgettable experience for visitors to the great antechamber of the monument theatre.
The Art Shop
Last Thursday was the relaunch, under Derek Goosen’s ownership, of The Art Shop. A cheerful occasion which was enjoyed by invited artists, suppliers, staff and friends. The spread below celebrates the relaunch and ArtsPage is very happy to welcome Derek’s input to the local art scene.
News and views always welcome at niblos@telkomsa.net.
New galleries.
Even this chilly economic climate cannot keep the artistically-optimistic from opening galleries. A warm welcome to La Marey in Marine Square, that glamorous new development between Mitchell and High streets in Hermanus. Rey Muller and his wife Marie have a gallery (also La Marey, no prizes for guessing where that name came from) in Somerset Mall and another one opening in the Strand next month. The aim is to provide something for all tastes and they are happy to talk to local artists and ceramists about representation. Maryn Burger and Gamene Simes are the two young ladies who will look after the gallery with Rey in frequent attendance.
The other new opening is a town-centre relaunch by the well-known gallerist Cobus Kershoff of his gallery “4 Art Sake”. He is now in Royal Centre - the little square alongside Kentucky Fried - and his offerings of selected artworks go right up to the ceiling. There is not room to swing more than a very small kitten but cheerful Cobus feels his artspot is correctly positioned and he looks forward to greeting his old clientele and catching the passing trade, too.
When Walker Bay Art Gallery started up in Main Road, the owner Francois Grobbelaar said, in response to an enquiry whether there were “too many galleries” in Hermanus - “I would be happy if the whole road were filled with them!” Spot on, Francois, you know all about Clarens in the Free State and how it attracts visitors as an Art Destination; that is where we are headed, too, if our galleries want to co-operate.
Classes and crits
At Overberg Art 27/29 May or 3/5 June, you can participate in a three-day Art Retreat led by Hettie Saaiman, artist and art teacher, who will enable you to create your own flower composition using acrylics on canvas. Maximum of eight per course and lunches at luxurious guesthouse Selkirk House are included. Check with Corrie on 082 477 9192.
Shelley Adams is offering a crit class entitled “Colour Connections” on Monday 1 June. Call 072 677 6277.
Fred Rousseau presents personalized art classes for all levels at The Art Shop, Tuesday or Thursday mornings. Call 072 431 9124.
Framing opportunity
Still one more week to take up the winter discount framing offer at Frames for Africa, The Framery/Onrus and the Mission’s House Gallery. The coupon with details was in the Hermanus Times of 8 May. As my artistic friend Cecilie says, “Walala wa sala”. (If you snooze, you lose.)
Mosaic
“A form or work of art in which pictures are produced by joining together minute pieces of glass, stone etc. of different colours”. My Concise Oxford gives the derivation from the Greek mousaikos – “of the Muses” which is a pretty concept. The muses are well represented in mosaic on the walls of Enlighten Education Trust Centre’s smart new building in Swartdam Road – the panels were done under guidance from Morag Swanepoel with Lara from Mila Mosaics, the specialist craft and art studio in Mitchell Street.
What an excellent way of bringing vibrant art into the lives of all who pass. The official unveiling is at 16h00 on Thursday 21 May.
And at Onrus Gallery, mosaic in the form of textile art is on display. A splendid quilt “Carnival in Rio” created by Kathryn Celliers-Louw, it was awarded a first prize at last year’s National Quilt Festival. The medium : 400 blocks of hand-dyed cotton embellished with cotton prints embossed with gold metallic thread and beads. The effect: breath-taking.
This artwork was recently used as illustration for a local lecture on colour and the students suggested it be put on display. It will be shown at the gallery for two weeks.
Creation
You would expect a splendid new cellar, tasting room and restaurant which carries the name Creation to have some striking art. Enthusiastic co-owner Carol Martin showed me the impressive works she commissioned from local artist and gallerist Leon Müller and the intriguing fibreglass, steel and paint sculptures of Brendon Cahill and the glass works of Jeannette Unite which are for sale. 18k up the Hemel en Aarde Road -
Cecil Skotnes (1926-2009)
Abalone Gallery is mounting “Homage á Cecil Skotnes”, opening on Saturday 30 May at noon. This seminal artist with his synthesis of European Modernism with an African idiom, used distinctive incised wood blocks and woodcuts as well as oils. He has left a powerful legacy, both in his prolific body of work and in his influence on South African art, particularly on those black artists who studied under him at the Polly Street Art Centre in Johannesburg in the fifties.
The massive panels in the Monument to the 1820 Settlers in Grahamstown were installed in the 1980s. Allegorical, with a theme of the seasons, these form an unforgettable experience for visitors to the great antechamber of the monument theatre.
The Art Shop
Last Thursday was the relaunch, under Derek Goosen’s ownership, of The Art Shop. A cheerful occasion which was enjoyed by invited artists, suppliers, staff and friends. The spread below celebrates the relaunch and ArtsPage is very happy to welcome Derek’s input to the local art scene.
News and views always welcome at niblos@telkomsa.net.
ArtsPage 8 May 2009 Frame it again, Sam
Remember that old painting that you love but that is hanging in the corridor because the frame is simply too old-fashioned, dirty or damaged to be seen in the livingroom? Or maybe it’s a watercolour painted by your favourite aunt and never really given a chance because it never enjoyed a decent frame? Well, now is your chance to do something about them.
Winter opportunity
There is no doubt that when the cold strikes, business in Hermanus gets a little sluggish. The art business is no exception and the framing studios feel it, too. So our leading three framers have decided to get together and, for the rest of the month of May, they are encouraging you to stop just thinking about reframing and get down to some action while the offer lasts.
Gilded frames
Frames were originally designed to protect paintings and were made of wood, still the most prestigious of framing materials. An elaborate moulding of plaster over the plain wood base, the whole gilded and designed to draw attention to the artwork and to enhance its appeal – think altar pieces, icons, traditional landscapes and old family portraits. These works, usually in oils, require no glass as they are protected by a renewable transparent varnish which catches the flyspecks and dust of the decades. Restorers can remove the varnish if it yellows with age and reapply – leading to some surprisingly rosy cheeks where before the sitter looked distinctly sallow of complexion.
Modern acrylic paints, too, are tough enough not to need glass. But pastels and watercoulours, gouaches and charcoal studies and works on paper in general would soon deteriorate without protection. The glass must not touch the surface of the paper so various mounts or thin mouldings are used to achieve this. The gap created avoids any condensation inside the glass which would damage the paint medium.
Not all pictures require framing; acrylics and oils are often presented with painted edges which finish them off well.
Damage
There is much more to the framing game than merely making a picture look better. Poor quality mounts and backing paper, masking tape, pins that rust and short-cut practices can do real damage to valuable artworks. The coating of glass to include UV filtering (light damage) and non-reflective qualities also need to be considered. If you want to avoid the dreaded foxing, better specify acid-free board. Costs can be cut if necessary by using plastic mouldings – the best are indistinguishable from wood, some of the “antique” finishes even have mock beetle holes to add veracity. And this is where an experienced framer can advise and give you an option that suits your purse and the work being framed.
Local experts
Three ladies whom I can confidently recommend are available in Greater Hermanus to offer the makeover that your artwork is begging for.
In the strictest alphabetical order, there is Glenda Pope at The Mission’s House in Onrus, who has recently brought her craftsmen on site to a new workroom on her historic old property in De Villiers Street. She has an attractive range of paintings in her gallery and was delighted to tell me that Charles van der Merwe’s Parisian Café painting which I used to illustrate last fortnight’s page, has just been sold to an overseas buyer. Glenda’s eye is spot-on and her advice, whether on framing or to aspirant painters, is always valuable.
Also in Onrus, having moved from her previous home studio on Old Main Road to Molteno Street a year ago, is Marlene Oberholzer at The Framery. Marlene does all her own frame construction and makes something of a speciality of block mounting and stretching photo-printed canvasses as well as art framing in the wider sense. She has been framing for 14 years and finds less and less time for her own painting.
In Hermanus centre, behind Pick ‘n Pay, is the Long Street framing business called Frames for Africa. Zelda Calitz is the owner and artistic director here and all work is done on the premises. Zelda sums up the job in two ticks, she is decisive in her recommendations but never dictates. She reinforces her suggestions with a winning smile and, like her fellow framers, she delivers a professional product with minimum delay.
Fresh and gleaming
When you have come home with your artwork looking fresh and gleaming, it becomes your responsibility to protect it further. Do avoid hanging in direct sunlight – and if you have a wall whose dryness is suspect, cut an ordinary wine cork into slivers and stick one piece on each corner at the back of the frame. This allows a circulation of air and lessens the possibility of mould.
Look around your house now and see whether some of your special artworks are in need of some tender loving care - then take them in to Glenda, Marlene or Zelda and give the pictures a new lease of life. And keep your news and views coming to me at niblos@telkomsa.net.
Sketch - The Art Shop
Hermanus rejoices in its many galleries and in the artists who live here. It was in response to the need for a specialized art and design materials supply that Sandy Cooper opened The Art Shop in Mitchell Street in September 2003. The baton passed to Sanet Cornelius and now ArtsPage is happy to welcome Derek Goosen as the new owner of this business which will be officially relaunched on Thursday 14 May .
Derek is an experienced retailer and was the driving force behind the Musica brand for 40 years, before retiring in 2002. Two years ago, heeding a suggestion by a friend running a successful framing business in Claremont, he researched the potential of the art and design retail arena. Similar stores in South Africa and the UK were scrutinized and he liked what he saw. The industry appeared to be well structured, with a compact menu of suppliers, workable operating margins, and offering realistic growth opportunities. Even more relevant was the resonance with his previous love affair with the music game, where music tugged at the heart strings and invariably provided the “soul food” for music lovers. It seemed clear to Derek that drawing and painting offer similar therapeutic experiences for many of those who sketch and paint.
Thus it was that The Village Brush and Canvas art shop opened in December 2006 in Belvedere Square, Claremont. On the strength of that store’s growing reputation in just two years of trading, a second store seemed like a good idea. When Derek heard that The Art Shop Hermanus was on the market, and being aware of the dynamic nature of the visual art community in the Overberg area, he acquired the business earlier this year.
Derek is very happy that Isabel Greyvenstein, who has been with The Art Shop for more than 6 years, will continue to manage the store and provide the fine service of which she and her assistant Chrizelle Damons are so proud. I asked Isabel if she painted and she admits to having had a go at oils but “gardening is my main hobby.” They are looking for a Saturday morning help, so if you know of a young guy or girl who has an interest in the arts and needs to earn a bit of cash, let them go in and ask Isabel.
It’s good to see favourite brands like Winsor and Newton, Daler-Rowney, Art Spectrum and Maimeri on the shelves and I am told that a comprehensive restocking has taken place since Derek has taken over. He is continuing to reward regular customers with a loyalty discount and already the frequent product specials are attracting attention. We can look forward to the range being “tweaked and enhanced” so it makes sense to support a local team who have shown that they can deliver.
Winter opportunity
There is no doubt that when the cold strikes, business in Hermanus gets a little sluggish. The art business is no exception and the framing studios feel it, too. So our leading three framers have decided to get together and, for the rest of the month of May, they are encouraging you to stop just thinking about reframing and get down to some action while the offer lasts.
Gilded frames
Frames were originally designed to protect paintings and were made of wood, still the most prestigious of framing materials. An elaborate moulding of plaster over the plain wood base, the whole gilded and designed to draw attention to the artwork and to enhance its appeal – think altar pieces, icons, traditional landscapes and old family portraits. These works, usually in oils, require no glass as they are protected by a renewable transparent varnish which catches the flyspecks and dust of the decades. Restorers can remove the varnish if it yellows with age and reapply – leading to some surprisingly rosy cheeks where before the sitter looked distinctly sallow of complexion.
Modern acrylic paints, too, are tough enough not to need glass. But pastels and watercoulours, gouaches and charcoal studies and works on paper in general would soon deteriorate without protection. The glass must not touch the surface of the paper so various mounts or thin mouldings are used to achieve this. The gap created avoids any condensation inside the glass which would damage the paint medium.
Not all pictures require framing; acrylics and oils are often presented with painted edges which finish them off well.
Damage
There is much more to the framing game than merely making a picture look better. Poor quality mounts and backing paper, masking tape, pins that rust and short-cut practices can do real damage to valuable artworks. The coating of glass to include UV filtering (light damage) and non-reflective qualities also need to be considered. If you want to avoid the dreaded foxing, better specify acid-free board. Costs can be cut if necessary by using plastic mouldings – the best are indistinguishable from wood, some of the “antique” finishes even have mock beetle holes to add veracity. And this is where an experienced framer can advise and give you an option that suits your purse and the work being framed.
Local experts
Three ladies whom I can confidently recommend are available in Greater Hermanus to offer the makeover that your artwork is begging for.
In the strictest alphabetical order, there is Glenda Pope at The Mission’s House in Onrus, who has recently brought her craftsmen on site to a new workroom on her historic old property in De Villiers Street. She has an attractive range of paintings in her gallery and was delighted to tell me that Charles van der Merwe’s Parisian Café painting which I used to illustrate last fortnight’s page, has just been sold to an overseas buyer. Glenda’s eye is spot-on and her advice, whether on framing or to aspirant painters, is always valuable.
Also in Onrus, having moved from her previous home studio on Old Main Road to Molteno Street a year ago, is Marlene Oberholzer at The Framery. Marlene does all her own frame construction and makes something of a speciality of block mounting and stretching photo-printed canvasses as well as art framing in the wider sense. She has been framing for 14 years and finds less and less time for her own painting.
In Hermanus centre, behind Pick ‘n Pay, is the Long Street framing business called Frames for Africa. Zelda Calitz is the owner and artistic director here and all work is done on the premises. Zelda sums up the job in two ticks, she is decisive in her recommendations but never dictates. She reinforces her suggestions with a winning smile and, like her fellow framers, she delivers a professional product with minimum delay.
Fresh and gleaming
When you have come home with your artwork looking fresh and gleaming, it becomes your responsibility to protect it further. Do avoid hanging in direct sunlight – and if you have a wall whose dryness is suspect, cut an ordinary wine cork into slivers and stick one piece on each corner at the back of the frame. This allows a circulation of air and lessens the possibility of mould.
Look around your house now and see whether some of your special artworks are in need of some tender loving care - then take them in to Glenda, Marlene or Zelda and give the pictures a new lease of life. And keep your news and views coming to me at niblos@telkomsa.net.
Sketch - The Art Shop
Hermanus rejoices in its many galleries and in the artists who live here. It was in response to the need for a specialized art and design materials supply that Sandy Cooper opened The Art Shop in Mitchell Street in September 2003. The baton passed to Sanet Cornelius and now ArtsPage is happy to welcome Derek Goosen as the new owner of this business which will be officially relaunched on Thursday 14 May .
Derek is an experienced retailer and was the driving force behind the Musica brand for 40 years, before retiring in 2002. Two years ago, heeding a suggestion by a friend running a successful framing business in Claremont, he researched the potential of the art and design retail arena. Similar stores in South Africa and the UK were scrutinized and he liked what he saw. The industry appeared to be well structured, with a compact menu of suppliers, workable operating margins, and offering realistic growth opportunities. Even more relevant was the resonance with his previous love affair with the music game, where music tugged at the heart strings and invariably provided the “soul food” for music lovers. It seemed clear to Derek that drawing and painting offer similar therapeutic experiences for many of those who sketch and paint.
Thus it was that The Village Brush and Canvas art shop opened in December 2006 in Belvedere Square, Claremont. On the strength of that store’s growing reputation in just two years of trading, a second store seemed like a good idea. When Derek heard that The Art Shop Hermanus was on the market, and being aware of the dynamic nature of the visual art community in the Overberg area, he acquired the business earlier this year.
Derek is very happy that Isabel Greyvenstein, who has been with The Art Shop for more than 6 years, will continue to manage the store and provide the fine service of which she and her assistant Chrizelle Damons are so proud. I asked Isabel if she painted and she admits to having had a go at oils but “gardening is my main hobby.” They are looking for a Saturday morning help, so if you know of a young guy or girl who has an interest in the arts and needs to earn a bit of cash, let them go in and ask Isabel.
It’s good to see favourite brands like Winsor and Newton, Daler-Rowney, Art Spectrum and Maimeri on the shelves and I am told that a comprehensive restocking has taken place since Derek has taken over. He is continuing to reward regular customers with a loyalty discount and already the frequent product specials are attracting attention. We can look forward to the range being “tweaked and enhanced” so it makes sense to support a local team who have shown that they can deliver.
ArtsPage 24 April 2009 Land Art at Baardskeerdersbos
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.)
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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