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.
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