Artists on Art | Hermanus Fynarts

Kayleen Wrigley – Peeling back the petals

This year the Strauss & Co Series of Presentations and Discussions at the FynArts Festival from 7 to 17 June includes enlightening and thought-provoking sessions, each dedicated to a specific artist and their artworks.

Gavin Younge, who has both exhibited in Sculpture on the Cliffs and curated the 2020/21 exhibition, will chair a panel of artists who will take part in this year’s exhibition on the cliff tops. Talking Sculpture will provide each participating artist with the opportunity to discuss their artwork with reference to their creative process and the inspiration that resulted in the creation of their sculpture placed on this spectacular stretch of coastline. Gavin Younge, Emeritus Professor in Fine Art at the University of Cape Town is also a past Director of the Michaelis School of Fine Art.

Sidney Kumalo and Ezram Legae, are modernist sculptors who are two of the most important artists of the 20th Century. Their story will be told by Marion Dixon, senior art specialist at Strauss & Co. This presentation will be based on 25 years of research and writing by Gavin Watkins and Charles Skinner, the authors of The Sculptures of Sidney Kumalo and Ezram Legae – A Catalogue Raisonne..

Diane Victor – Prints, Drawings, Smoke is the topic of a presentation by artist and curator, Gordon Froud. Diane is known for her biting critique, satirical and social contemporary of South African society, on political corruption, violence and economic exploitation. Gordon will also touch on her upcoming museum shows in France and on her works made at the Atelier le Grand Village.

Diane Victor – Prints, Drawings, Smoke

Flowers have appeared in artworks since Greek and Egyptian civilisations. In Peeling back the Petals, Kayleen Wrigley, fine art specialist at Strauss & Co, will delve into the history of flowers in both classical and botanical art. And through the petals we love so much, she will explore topics as diverse as world trade, passion and economics.

And for a different perspective on those who have modelled for artists over the centuries, Felicity Jervis, well-known local social historian, will offer a light-hearted historical introduction to some people – not all beautiful – who were painted and sculpted by world-famous artists. In Some Nudes I have Known Felicity goes behind the scenes of world-famous artists and their models, who often faced ridicule, outcry, ex-communication, even demonization, yet finally, fame. Many visuals will accompany this documentary.

In the series of Book Talks, Amanda Botha, award-winning art journalist and documentary filmmaker will talk to Frans Meyer about Impossible Skies, the memoir he wrote about his late brother,. the artist, Walter Meyer, In this memoir about his brother, Frans and Amanda will explore the artist’s roots, his legacy as a fine painter of distinctly South African landscapes.

More information at www.hermansfynarts.co.za or for a downloadable booklet at https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/68665084/168x225mm-fynarts-88-pages-booklet-270324-1

Tickets at www.webtickets.co.za

Presentation – Celebrating Sydney Kumalo and Ezrom Lagae

Mark Swart – Sculpture on the Cliffs