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.

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.

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.