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.