Hermanus FynArts, the annual classic style festival that celebrates South African arts and artists, will take place from 8 – 17 June 2018. This year the number of exhibitions and art-related events has almost doubled since the festival debuted in 2013.
The 2018 programme of highlights includes the large FynArts group exhibitions: Sculpture on the Cliffs with the human figure as its subject this year; the ceramic exhibition, Beyond Fire; the Art of Thread exhibition, Collaborative Relationships; and the exhibition of the finalists in the Tollman Bouchard Finlayson Art Award. There is also a photographic and a jewellery exhibition at the Marine Hotel.
Nineteen galleries and other venues in Hermanus and the Hemel-en-Aarde Village will again present a special festival exhibition. More art exhibitions will be found on wine farms and at Curro School.
The festival also includes many other events related to the visual arts.
The Strauss & Co Lecture Series
This popular series includes a number of speakers who will present a wide range of illustrated talks related to South African art and artists: Wilhelm van Rensburg, a Strauss & Co art specialist, will discuss the work of Christo Coetzee, the leading exponent of abstract expressionism in South Africa and Europe in the 1960’s; Judge Albie Sachs who headed the Artworks Committee of the Constitutional Court will show a DVD and talk about the art collection in the Constitutional Court, and Karien Trengove, will talk about the transition from Grain Silos to Zeitz MOCAA as one of the team of South African architects who worked on this project. Rachel-Mari Ackerman, graphic designer in the Philatelic Services of the South African Post Office will talk about the history of art behind stamps and highlight some design principles.
Other art topics include photography and In Conversation Christopher Hope will talk to photographer, Jennifer Gough-Cooper, who will exhibit her work at the Marine Hotel. The work of well-known cartoonist, Tony Grogan, is solidly based on the art of drawing. Tony will, through a talk and demonstration, discuss the nature and challenges of his work.
Artwork Top: Anton Smit, FAITH, Stone Cast
Artwork Above: Bastiaan Van Stienes, White Room, 60 x 60cm, 2018
A more international slant will be taken by Marilyn Martin in Art Safari 2017, two richly illustrated talks – the one about a pilgrimage to Rome, Pompeii and Venice and the second, a discussion on her visit to the five-yearly Documenta in Kassel and the once in a decade Münster Sculpture Project, both in Germany.
As well as art topics, there are discussions with writers about their books, current affairs and investigative journalism.
The FynArts Legacy Award will be presented posthumously to Hugh Masekela at a special memorial event. Bra Hugh’s sister, Barbara Masekela will accept the Award on his behalf from Richard Cock. Sibongile Khumalo will talk about her professional relationship with the legendary musician.
The Series of Workshops
Daily workshops range from a few hours to three days with the latter being Quick Sketches, an artist’s diary, presented by Willie Jacobs. A one-day workshop, Life
Drawing, will be offered by Christopher David Reid, winner of the 2017 Benguela Cove Wine Estate Life Drawing competition. A half-day workshop, Paint en plein air will be offered by Alyson Guy of Volmoed Retreat.
Ceramic workshops are also on the programme. On the opening weekend Hennie Meyer will present two, one-day workshops and Tania Babb will offer children aged 7 – 10 years, two half-day workshops – Ravishing Rhinos and Elegant Ellies. On the second Saturday, Youth Day, Madoda Fani will present a one-day workshop. During the week, a one-and-a half-day workshop on the entire ceramic process from raw clay to the glazed and fired product will be offered by local ceramic artist, Catherine Brennan.
Three workshop ‘firsts’ for FynArts are micro-mosaics with Carol Tait, floral art with Alyson Kessel and an introduction to working with pewter, with Heather Fleming. The popular jewellery workshops with Ralph and Heidi Walton as well as photography workshops with Leanne Dryburgh and Peter Hassall are again in the festival line-up.
In addition to these workshops in the visual arts, there are art tours and an eclectic range of art-related workshops that include writing, making sushi, wine blending, cake decorating, and drumming.
The full programme of music, chef demonstrations, workshops, exhibitions, films and children’s events is at hermanusfynarts.co.za. Bookings can be made at webtickets.co.za, at Hermanus FynArts in the Station Building, Mitchell Street, selected Pick n Pay stores and telephonic on 060 957 537.