OOR DIE FAK-VTM KUNSGALERY
Die FAK/VTM Kunsgalery is ’n permanente kunsuitstalling – met die primêre doel om ’n grondige waarderingskultuur vir goeie kuns, drama en musiek onder die Afrikanergemeenskap te hervestig. Die galery werk ten nouste saam met die FAK en is gehuisves in die Senotaafsaal van die Voortrekkermonument. Skilderye en beeldhouwerke van ’n groot aantal bekende kunstenaars, sowel as belowende opkomende kunstenaars, word uitgestal en ook te koop aangebied. Die galery is ook so uitgelê dat dit ’n ruimte skep vir die aanbied van kleiner musiekuitvoerings en toneelstukke. Die doelwit van die galery is om die kunswaarderingskultuur onder die Afrikanergemeenskap te herstel en die hedendaagse meesters die erkenning te gee wat hulle toekom. Die galery teiken hedendaagse en toekomstige meesters om ’n waardetoevoeging te kom maak tot die Suid-Afrikaanse kunsnalatenskap.
The FAK/VTM Art Gallery is a permanent art exhibition – with the primary aim of re-establishing a deep culture of appreciation for good art, drama and music among Afrikaner people. The gallery works closely with the FAK and is housed in the Cenotaph Hall of the Voortrekker Monument. Paintings and sculptures from a large number of well-known artists, as well as promising emerging artists are on display and also offered for sale. The gallery is also laid out in such a way that it creates a space for presenting smaller music and performances. The aim of the gallery is to restore the culture of art appreciation among the Afrikaner community and to give the contemporary masters the recognition they deserve.
The gallery today targets contemporary and future masters to add value to the South African art legacy.
ONTMOET ONS KUNSTENAARS
ALAIN NORTJÉ
Alain Nortjé het in 1983 ’n BA (Ed) Beeldende Kunste-graad aan die Universiteit van Pretoria verwerf. Hy het begin as kunsonderwyser, het ’n kollege-dosent geword en in 1995 die Centurion Kunssentrum in Pretoria geopen.
Sy werk word verteenwoordig in verskeie korporatiewe versamelings (bv. Telkom, ABSA), opvoedkundige instellings en stadsrade, en in private versamelings plaaslik en in die buiteland. Benewens uitgesoekte bomarkgalerye in Suid-Afrika (soos Johan Smit, Hyde Park Gallery, Voir, ens.) en die Nasionale Kunsmuseum in Pretoria, stal bekende galerye in Salzburg, München en Wene tans sy werk uit.
Alhoewel sy styl uiteenlopend is, vorm Alain se fassinasie met Suid-Afrikaanse landskappe, en met spesifieke verwysing na mensgemaakte merke op die landskap, die hooftema regdeur sy werk. Fisiese grense (soos geroeste doringdraadheinings) kom gereeld in sy skilderye voor en hou verband met beide grense wat in landskappe gevind word, sowel as geestelike grense waarmee die kunstenaar gekonfronteer kan word
Alain Nortjé obtained a BA (Ed) Fine Arts degree at the University of Pretoria in 1983. He started as an art teacher, became a college lecturer and in 1995 opened the Centurion Art Centre in Pretoria.
His work is represented in several corporate collections (e.g. Telkom, ABSA), educational institutions, city councils, and private collections locally and abroad. Apart from selected upmarket galleries in South Africa (such as Johan Smit, Hyde Park Gallery, Voir, etc.) and the National Art Museum in Pretoria, renowned galleries in Salzburg, Munich and Vienna are currently exhibiting his work.
Although his style is diverse, Alain’s fascination with South African landscapes, and with specific reference to man-made marks on the landscape, forms the main theme throughout his work. Physical boundaries (such as rusted barbed wire fences) occur regularly in his paintings and relate to both boundaries found in landscapes, as well as mental boundaries that the artist might be confronted with.
CHRISTELLE JANSE VAN VUUREN
Christelle was vir die grootste deel van haar lewe in die skoonheidsindustrie, en slegs as ’n stokperdjie skilderye geskilder en soms verkoop. In 2021 het sy verhuis na Leeupoort, en einde 2022 besluit om kuns as beroep op te neem. Christelle het besluit om dit te doen gebaseer op haar kinderlewe op ’n Bosveldplaas. Die verskeie elemente wat sy beleef en ervaar het, maak grootliks deel van haar identiteit en dit is waarin sy die wonder en skoonheid van die skepping vind. In landskappe, wildlewe en plaaslewe. Christelle se medium van keuse is olieverf op gestrekte doek.
Christelle was in the beauty industry for most of her life and only painted as a hobby, and sometimes sold them. In 2021, she moved to Leeupoort and, at the end of 2022, decided to take up art as a profession. Christelle decided to do this based on her childhood on a woodland farm. The various elements that she has lived and experienced are part of her identity, and it is in this that she finds the wonder and beauty of creation. In landscapes, wildlife and farm life. Christelle’s medium of choice is oil on stretched canvas.
DAWIE FOURIE
Dawie is in 1964 in Johannesburg gebore. Dawie is lief vir die veld en wild solank as wat hy kan onthou. Hy het in natuurbewaring en veeartsenykundige navorsing gewerk voordat hy 33 jaar gelede ’n voltydse loopbaan in kuns begin het. Dawie het ses solo-uitstallings, 30 plus groepuitstallings en ses private uitstallings gehad, insluitend uitstallings in die VSA, Frankryk, Dubai, Spanje en Noorweë. Sy werk is in baie private en korporatiewe versamelings, insluitend die Coca-Cola-maatskappy, Suid-Afrikaanse Brouerye, Suid-Afrikaanse Regering, insluitend die Suid-Afrikaanse Nasionale Parkeraad en die Departement van Kuns en Kultuur. Ook die private versamelings van die Bank of Canada, Joachim Chisano (voormalige president van Mosambiek), Harber Wildlife Museum en Tottenham Hot Spurs Football Club, om maar ’n paar te noem.
Dawie was born in Johannesburg in 1964. Dawie loved the veld and wildlife for as long as I can remember. He worked in nature conservation and veterinary research before starting a full-time art career 33 years ago. Dawie had six solo exhibitions, 30 plus group exhibitions and six private exhibitions, including exhibitions in the USA, France, Dubai, Spain and Norway. His work is in many private and corporate collections, such as the Coca-Cola Company, and South African Breweries, South African Government, including the South African National Parks Board and the Department of Arts and Culture. Also, the private collections of the Bank of Canada, Joachim Chisano (former president of Mozambique), Harber Wildlife Museum, and Tottenham Hot Spurs Football Club, to name but a few.
ELSA CORNELISSEN
Elsa se kuns is ’n verlengstuk van haarself en deur haar kuns kon sy haar emosies en lewenservaring kanaliseer om as mens in haarself te groei.
Elsa se hoofgenre van werk is wildlewe, Simboliese Realisme, Emosioneel Ekspressiewe Portrette en Naakstudies, met haar voorkeurmedium as akriel.
Sy is egter goed vertroud met baie verskillende genres en mediums en deel haar kennis met ander deur middel van haar kunsklasse.
Sedert sy in 1980 haar BA in Beeldende Kuns aan die Universiteit van Pretoria voltooi het, het sy kuns by verskeie hoërskole en tegniese kolleges gegee, verskeie eenpersoon- en groepuitstallings gehou, privaat kunsklasse aan volwassenes en kinders gegee. Na ’n paar jaar in die onderwys, het sy dit opgegee om haarself ten volle aan skilderkuns toe te wy, en het net elke nou en dan klasse aangebied.
Elsa Cornelissen is ’n bekroonde kunstenaar wat al 38 jaar in die besigheid is, met ’n BA en HEd in Beeldende Kunste aan die Universiteit van Pretoria.
Elsa’s art is an extension of herself, and through her art, she has been able to channel her emotions and life experiences to grow within herself.
Elsa’s main genres of work are Wildlife, Symbolic Realism, Emotionally Expressive Portraits and Nude Studies, with her medium of choice being acrylics.
She is, however, well versed in many various genres and mediums and shares her knowledge with others through her art classes.
Since completing her BA in Fine Art at the University of Pretoria in 1980, she has taught art at various high schools and technical colleges, held various one-person and group exhibitions, and taught private art classes to adults and children. After several years of teaching, she gave up devoting herself fully to painting, only offering classes every so often.
Elsa Cornelissen is an acclaimed artist in the business for 30 years, with a BA and HEd in Fine Arts at the University of Pretoria.
ELSABÉ PIENAAR
Elsabé Pienaar is ’n kunstenaar van Hartbeespoort, wat bekroon is as ’n Top 25 Finalis in die ARTi Galery Kunskompetisie 2023!
Elsabé beskryf haar kuns as figuratief met ’n abstrakte element, al spog haar portefeulje met ’n groot versameling kreatiewe werke en projekte. Na voltooiing van haar studies het sy ’n pos by die destydse Transvaalse Museumdiens ingeneem en nie net aan museumuitstallings gewerk nie, maar aan verskeie historiese restourasieprojekte saamgewerk. Sy plaas haar mees uitdagende projek as die restourasie van die Paleis van Justisie op Kerkplein in Pretoria, vanweë die grootte van die gebou en blote historiese betekenis wat ’n blywende indruk op haar gelaat het.
Vir die laaste 15 jaar gee sy kunsklasse vir volwassenes en kinders, wat haar kerngeloof in haar verpligting eerbiedig en dit is om die kennis wat sy besit, te deel.
Elsabé Pienaar is an artist from Hartbeespoort, who was awarded as a Top 25 Finalist in the ARTi Gallery Art Competition 2023!
Elsabé describes her art as figurative with an abstract element, though her portfolio boasts a vast collection of creative works and projects. After completing her studies, she took a position with the then Transvaal Museum service and not only worked on museum exhibitions but collaborated on various historical restoration projects. She cites her most challenging project as the restoration of The Palace of Justice in Church Square in Pretoria, owing to the size of the building and sheer historical significance that left a lasting impression on her.
For the last 15 years, she has been teaching art classes for adults and children, honouring her core belief in her obligation to share the knowledge she possesses.
GERRIT PITOUT
Gerrit Pitout is op 2 Januarie 1953 in Klerksdorp gebore en het in Barberton gematrikuleer. Hy het aan die Onderwyskollege van Pretoria gestudeer, en met verdere studie aan die Universiteit van Suid-Afrika het hy sy honneurs in kuns verwerf. Hy het ook sy FPSSA-genootskap in fotografie verwerf en verskeie nasionale en internasionale aanvaardings verwerf.
Sy loopbaan as professionele kunstenaar strek oor meer as 50 jaar en hy het uitstallings in Amerika, Israel en regoor Suid-Afrika gehad. Die kunstenaar het die voorreg gehad om saam met groot name soos Zakkie Eloff, Dino Paravano, Mel Brigg, Lee Voight en vele ander uit te stal.
Kunstenaars wat ’n groot invloed op sy werk gehad het, was Pierneef, Gregoire Boonzaier en Pieter Wenning.
Gerrit het sy eerste solo-uitstalling op die jong ouderdom van 17 by Plaston naby Nelspruit gehou. Hy het bekend geword deur sy kenmerkende hantering van waterverf, asook sy olieverfskilderye van Sossusvlei in die Namib en Suid-Afrikaanse bosveld.
Gerrit se jongste opdrag was vir die ikoniese Voortrekkermonument in Suid-Afrika.
Gerrit Pitout was born on 2 January 1953 in Klerksdorp and matriculated in Barberton. He studied at the Teachers Training College of Pretoria, and with further study at the University of South Africa, he gained his honours in fine art. He also obtained his FPSSA Fellowship in photography and earned several national and international acceptances.
His career as a professional artist spans more than 50 years and he has held exhibitions in America, Israel and all over South Africa. The artist has had the privilege to exhibit with great artists like Zakkie Eloff, Dino Paravano, Mel Brigg, Lee Voight and many others.
Artists who had a great influence on his work were Pierneef, Gregoire Boonzaier and Pieter Wenning.
Gerrit held his first solo exhibition at the young age of 17 at Plaston near Nelspruit. He became known through his distinctive handling of watercolour, as well as his oil paintings of Sossusvlei in the Namib and South African bushveld.
Gerrit’s latest commission was for the iconic Voortrekker monument in South Africa.
INGRID FOUCHE
Die Afrika-bos was Ingrid se tuiste tydens haar kinderjare, wat ’n diep liefde vir die natuur en sy weelderige oorvloed by haar gekweek het.
Sonder formele kunsopleiding het sy haar loopbaan as kommersiële fotograaf begin. Sy was egter teruggetrek na die wilde plekke en het in die Zambezi-vallei en in Chobe, Botswana, as ’n gids vir buitelandse toeriste gewerk totdat sy in die 80’s na Suid-Afrika verhuis het.
Sy skilder nou voltyds in olie, akriel en sagte pastelle en stal saam met haar seun Leon by plaaslike skoue in Suid-Afrika uit.
Afgesien van Afrika-wildlewe, spesialiseer Ingrid ook in die verf van Nguni-beeste en -perde.
Ingrid se kunswerke word akkuraat en evokatief weergegee terwyl sy haar verlustig in die detail van die perfekte skoonheid en uniekheid van haar onderwerpe.
The African bush was home to Ingrid during her childhood, instilling a profound love for nature and its lavish bounty.
Without formal art training, she began her career as a commercial photographer. However, she was drawn back to the wild places and worked in the Zambezi Valley and Chobe, Botswana, as a guide to foreign tourists until moving to South Africa in the 80s.
She now enjoys painting full-time in oils, acrylic and soft pastels and exhibiting together with her son Leon at local shows in South Africa.
Aside from African wildlife, Ingrid also specialises in painting Nguni cattle and horses.
Ingrid’s artworks are rendered accurately and evocatively as she delights in the detail of the perfect beauty and uniqueness of her subjects.
JACQUES MÜLLER
Jacques Müller, die oudste van twee broers, is in 1980 in Pretoria gebore. Hy matrikuleer aan die Hoërskool Zwartkop in Centurion waarna hy in 2004 ’n nasionale diploma in beeldende kuns aan die destydse Technikon van Pretoria verwerf, waar hy in beeldhou en skilderkuns spesialiseer.
Jacques put inspirasie uit die natuur, die lewe in die algemeen en die onvermydelike proses van verganklikheid. Sy skilderye en beelde “leef” in vrede saam deur die gebruik van abstrakte elemente soos kleur in sy skilderye en beide organiese en anorganiese voorwerpe in sy beelde om ’n realistiese geheelbeeld te skep. Die kortstondigheid van die lewe is duidelik sigbaar in sy werke waar dit nooit perfek afgerond is nie, en sommige met gate spog om die onvermydelikheid van tyd te beklemtoon.
Jacques maak beleggingsbeeldhou en skilderwerk in opdrag van korporatiewe maatskappye en private versamelaars. Sy werk is ingesluit in verskeie versamelings regoor Suid-Afrika, Australië, Italië, Dubai en die VSA.
Al verkies Jacques om “uit klip te kap”, is hy ’n uiters alsydige kunstenaar. Hy kombineer veral klip met sy bronsbeelde. Jacques meen daar is ’n simbiose in dié materiale en die naamloosheid in sy beelde. As hy nie beeldhouwerk doen nie, skilder hy graag met olie en waterverf.
Jacques Müller was born in 1980 in Pretoria and is the eldest of 2 brothers.
Jacques’ career in the fine arts commenced in 1998 at the School for Creative Arts in Centurion. He received his national BTech Fine Art diploma and became a full-time professional artist soon thereafter.
Nature, life in general and the inevitable process of transience inspire Jacques’ work. His paintings and sculptures co-exist through the use of abstract elements through colour in his paintings and both organic and inorganic objects in his sculptures to create a realistic whole. The transience process is clearly visible through the creative process to emphasise the inevitability of change.
Jacques has been commissioned to do work for both corporate and private collectors. His work is included in several collections throughout South Africa, Australia, Italy, Dubai and the USA.
Sculptures: “Jacques combines stone with bronze. There is a kind of symbiosis in the materials and anonymity in the figures. All too often we see people scarred by violence of one sort or another. Strangely enough, his figures, although scorched and fragmented, aren’t like that because of an act of violence; they’re like that because that’s simply the nature of things. Every natural object has a period: people get old, their bodies change, and they die. Trees grow tall, they lose their leaves, grow even taller but they must also return to the earth.” – Carl Jeppe
Painting: “Jacques’ paintings too have a hasty look; the urgent jabbing of brushstrokes suggest that the artist MUST put down the image that’s caught his eye before it slips from his grasp. The subject matter is ordinary things and people from his environment because Jacques is not searching among the ‘accepted’ norms of beauty. There’s no cover-up. On the contrary, he often looks for and emphasises the mistakes and aberrations in his images.” – Carl Jeppe
JANET VAN WYK
Janet is ’n selfgeleerde kunstenaar wat in Marloth Park, langs die pragtige Krugerwildtuin, woonagtig is. Sy vier die skoonheid van natuurlewe en landskappe deur haar rou, pretensielose en fotorealistiese skilderye. Haar fassinasie met skilderkuns het in 2016 begin terwyl sy tussen die eksentrieke Hantamberge in die Karoo gewoon het, met die begeerte om haar pragtige omgewing met hul unieke stories vas te vang. Haar oog vir detail en nuanse het gou haar kommissies van plaaslike en landwye kliënte gekry ná ’n suksesvolle eerste groepuitstalling by haar dorp se fees, wat in blootstelling gegroei het en haar werk aan ’n wyer gehoor bekend gestel het. In 2019 het sy en haar man na Marloth Park verhuis waar ’n opdrag vir ’n olifantskildery die begin was van haar intrige manier om wild lewend te maak.
Janet se werk is ingesluit in verskeie private versamelings, beide in Marloth Park en regoor die land, asook in geselekteerde solo- en groepuitstallings en galeryverteenwoordiging.
Janet is a self-taught artist residing in Marloth Park, next to the beautiful Kruger National Park. She celebrates the beauty of wildlife and landscapes through her raw, unpretentious and photo-realistic paintings. Her fascination with painting began in 2016 whilst living between the eccentric Hantam mountains in the Karoo, desiring to capture her beautiful surroundings with their unique stories. Her eye for detail and nuance soon landed her commissions from local and countrywide clients after a successful first group exhibition at her town’s festival, growing in exposure and introducing her work to a wider audience. In 2019, she and her husband relocated to Marloth Park, where a commissioned elephant painting marked the beginning of her intriguing way of bringing wildlife to life.
Janet’s work is included in several private collections, both in Marloth Park and around the country, as well as in selected solo and group exhibitions and gallery representation.
JOHAN KOK
Johan Kok is in 1954 in Zimbabwe gebore, en het in 1961 na Suid-Afrika verhuis. Van jongs af het Johan dit geniet om te teken maar het nooit gedink om kuns ’n loopbaan te maak nie. Derhalwe het hy BSc (Boukunde) gaan studeer en ’n beroep in die bou- en fasiliteit bestuur gevolg. Die behoefte om sy kunstalent te ontwikkel, het al sterker geword en in 2010 besluit hy om voltyds te begin skilder.
Met geen formele kunsopleiding nie, het Johan sy kennis van kuns en skilder verbreed deur kunsboeke te lees, werkswinkels by te woon, video’s te kyk en baie “foute” te maak.
Hoewel hy soms in waterverf werk, is olie steeds sy medium van keuse. Johan skilder graag landskappe maar doen ook soms stillewes en portrette.
Die meeste van sy werk word in die ateljee gedoen maar as hy die geleentheid kry, vat hy sy esel uit om in die natuur (plein air) te skilder.
Wat Johan inspireer, is die wonder van God se skepping … en hoe lig ’n gewone toneel in iets baie besonders kan omtower.
Johan werk tans vanaf sy ateljee in Centurion.
Johan Kok was born in Zimbabwe in 1954 and moved to South Africa in 1961. From a young age, Johan enjoyed drawing but never considered making art a career. Therefore, he studied for a BSc (Architecture) and followed a career in building and facility management. The need to develop his artistic talent became stronger and in 2010, he decided to start painting full-time.
With no formal art training, Johan broadened his knowledge of art and painting by reading art books, attending workshops, watching videos and making many “mistakes”.
Although he sometimes works in watercolour, oil is still his medium of choice. Johan likes to paint landscapes but also sometimes still lifes and portraits.
Most of his work is done in the studio but when he gets the opportunity, he takes his easel out to paint in nature (plein air).
What inspires Johan is the wonder of God’s creation … and how light can transform an ordinary scene into something very special.
Johan currently works from his studio in Centurion.
KAREL SCHOONEBEEK
Frederik Karel Schoonebeek, gebore in 1968 in Boksburg, Suid-Afrika.
Het as klein seuntjie by sy oupa se voete geleer om te teken. Sy oupa Cornelis Schoonebeek van Nederlandse afkoms was ’n skeepsargitek van beroep, ook ’n onbekende skilder van formaat. So sou die ou romantiek in oupa se stories self tot verhaal kom, deur die potlood op te neem en die ou beelde weer nuwe lewe te gee.
Die kunstenaar se grootste uitdaging en passie lê daarin opgesluit om die karakters vas te vang en in sy gesigstudies uit te beeld. Ander werke sluit in, die skets van diere, natuurtonele en dit wat sy oog kan vang.
“Vir my is die lewe ’n skets.”
Frederik Karel Schoonebeek was Born in 1968 in Boksburg, South Africa.
Karel learned to draw as a small boy at his grandfather’s feet. His grandfather Cornelis Schoonebeek of Dutch descent was a naval architect by profession, also an unknown painter of great stature. So the old romance in grandfather’s stories would come to life itself, by taking up the pencil and giving new life to the old images.
The artist’s greatest challenge and passion lies in capturing the characters and portraying them in his facial studies. Other works include, sketching animals, nature scenes and whatever catches his eye.
“For me, life is a sketch”
KOBUS MÖLLER
Kobus se skilderye weerspieël ’n intieme kennis van die Afrika-landskap, ’n kennis wat opgedoen word deur dit te verken. Hy is gebore en getoë op ’n plaas buite Fort Victoria (nou Masvingo) in Zimbabwe.
Sy werke is by internasionale kunsgalerye in Afrika, Europa, China en die Verenigde State uitgestal. As professionele kunstenaar is Kobus in Sweedse, Amerikaanse, Duitse en Suid-Afrikaanse publikasies gepubliseer. Sy kunswerke het grootliks gepryk in hoofartikels wat in meer as 50 internasionale tydskrifte gepubliseer is. Hy het was ook die ontvanger van baie gesogte toekennings.
Kobus se werk getuig van ’n totale toewyding. Hy is betower deur die skepping soos dit in sy geliefde Afrika gemanifesteer word. Hy onderdompel homself in ’n volledige ervaring van die besienswaardighede, geluide, reuke en selfs die skrape en jeuk van dorings en insekte.
Kobus lok die waarnemer se verbeelding om die natuur te ontdek soos dit is. In sy eie woorde daag hy elkeen van ons uit: “Mag jy stilstaan om die rots waar te neem waarteen jy jou toon gestamp het, die dorings wat jou gekrap het en die droë gras wat jou vel laat jeuk het. Mag jy ’n waardering ontwikkel vir die skoonheid van die eenvoudige dinge en mag jy die ontsagwekkende gawe van sig herontdek.”
Kobus’ paintings reflect an intimate knowledge of the African landscape, a knowledge gained from exploring it. He was born and raised on a farm outside Fort Victoria (now called Masvingo) in Zimbabwe.
His works have been exhibited at international art galleries in Africa, Europe, China and the United States. As a professional artist, Kobus has been published in Swedish, American, German and South African publications. His artwork has been vastly promoted in feature articles published in over 50 international magazines. He has also been the recipient of many prestigious awards.
Kobus’ work witnesses to a total commitment. He is enthralled by creation as it is manifested in his beloved Africa. Immersing himself in a complete experience of the sights, sounds, smells, and even the scratches and itches of thorns and insects, he is passionately driven to have all his senses saturated with the essence of Africa.
Kobus entices the observer’s imagination to discover nature as it is. In his own words, he challenges each of us: “May you pause to carefully observe the rock on which you stubbed your toe, the thorns that scratched you and the dry grass that caused your skin to itch. May you develop an appreciation for the beauty of the simple things, and may you re-discover the awesome gift of sight.”
LUCAS DE WIT
Lucas de Wit is ’n skilder van Pretoria wat lief is vir portrette, stillewes en natuurtonele. Na skool het hy opleiding onder Elizabeth Riding ontvang in die verftegnieke van die ou meesters. In 2006 het Lucas self begin klasgee en onder die vaandel van die Klassieke Skildersgilde begin uitstal. In 2013 het Chris Tugwell vir Lucas aan John Contat, die bekende kunshandelaar, voorgestel en het hy vir John begin skilder. Van daar af het Lucas se fokus verskuif van portrette na die vele gesigte van die bosveld. Sy bosveldtonele neem jou op ’n kits-“safari”, met sagte lugtonele, stowwerige grondpaaie, droë gras en treffende doringbome. Sy portrette en stillewes kommunikeer sy onderwerpe getrou, hoewel dit in breë trekke ontrafel wat dit ’n meer moderne aanslag gee. Intussen bied Lucas werkswinkels aan om sy liefde vir skilder met ander te deel.
Lucas de Wit is a painter from Pretoria who loves portraits, still lifes and nature scenes. After school, he received training under Elizabeth Riding in the painting techniques of the old masters. In 2006, Lucas began teaching and exhibiting under the auspices of the Classical Painters’ Guild. In 2013, Chris Tugwell introduced Lucas to John Contat, the well-known art dealer, and he began painting John. From there, Lucas’ focus shifted from portraits to the many faces of the woodland. His woodland scenes take you on an instant “safari”, with soft air scenes, dusty dirt roads, dry grass and striking thorn trees. His portraits and still lifes communicate his subjects faithfully, although they unravel in broad strokes that give them a more modern touch. Meanwhile, Lucas offers workshops to share his love of painting with others.
LUTE VINK
So ver terug as wat hy kan onthou, was Lute altyd besig om te skets. Sy voltydse professionele kunsloopbaan het in 1989 begin toe hy ’n mark vir wildkuns ontdek het. Baie skilderye later het hy hom in die bevoorregte posisie bevind waar sy werk hoog in aanvraag geraak het. Hy put groot plesier uit wild en die natuur en respekteer elke aspek daarvan. Lute voel geëerd om te sê dat sy werk oral goed aanvaar word. Sy skilderye hang in private en maatskappyversamelings wêreldwyd en hy is gekrediteer en gepubliseer in talle tydskrifte en publikasies.
“Ek wil graag aanhou skilder solank ons die skoonheid van die natuur om ons het en sal altyd streef na verbetering in my werk. Ek weet nie hoe my werk sal ontwikkel nie, maar dít weet ek … dit sal altyd ’n eer wees om my talent met die publiek te deel.
“Ek hoef nie regtig inspirasie te vind om te doen wat ek doen nie. Ek doen net wat ek die beste weet,” sê Lute.
Lute, BBC-kunstenaar van die jaar 2013-finalis, het die nuwe publikasie van The Jungle Book geïllustreer. Hierdie beperkte uitgawe-boek is aan die einde van 2015 deur Britse onafhanklike uitgewers Books Illustrated vrygestel. Die fyn versamelaarshandgebinde boek is genommer en geteken deur die kunstenaar en afgewerk in ’n luukse aanbiedingsboks. Lute het die eerste Suid-Afrikaanse kunstenaar geword wat die illustrasies vir so ’n publikasie gedoen het.
As far back as he can rememberLute was always sketching. His full-time professional art career began in 1989 when he discovered a market for wildlife art. Many paintings later he found himself in the privileged position where his work became in high demand. He takes great pleasure in wildlife and nature and respects every aspect.
Lute feels honoured to say that his work is well-accepted everywhere. His paintings hang in private and corporate collections worldwide and he has been credited and published in numerous magazines and publications.
“I would like to continue painting as long as we have the beauty of nature around us and will always strive for improvement in my work. I don’t know how my work will develop, but I know … it will always be an honour to share my talent with the public.
“I don’t really need to find inspiration to do what I do. I just do what I know best,” says Lute.
BBC Artist of the Year 2013 finalist Lute has illustrated the new publication of The Jungle Book. This limited-edition book was released in late 2015 by British independent publishers Books Illustrated. The fine collector’s handbound book is numbered and signed by the artist and finished in a luxurious presentation box. Lute became the first South African artist to do the illustrations for such a publication.
NIC GROBLER
As Nic vandag terugkyk, dan besef hy net dit was ’n groot voorreg om in Vryheid te kon skoolgaan, eers in Nuwe Republiek Laerskool en later in Vryheid Hoërskool. Nic het einde 1963 gematrikuleer.
Wat hy gemis het, was dat daar nie formele kunsopleiding was nie. Hy wou skeppend besig wees en het op eie houtjie beeldhou gedoen.
Te midde van ’n baie besige program in die gemeente doen Nic beeldhou as ’n stokperdjie en kry bestellings van mense uit die omgewing.
Hy beleef ook een van die hoogtepunte van sy lewe toe die staatspresident, Mnr. Marais Viljoen, hom aanwys as beeldhouer om ’n een en ’n half lewensgrootte borsbeeld van hom te maak vir die Raadsaal van Johannesburg se Stadsraad en ’n ateljee vir Nic ingerig word in die presidensie waar hy elke Maandag kon werk as die president poseer.
Vandag is Nic Grobler bekend vir sy “Beeldhou met ’n Boodskap”.
If Nic looks back today, he only realises that it was a great privilege to go to school in Vryheid, first in New Republic Primary School and later in Vryheid High School. Nic matriculated at the end of 1963.
What he missed was that there was no formal art training. He wanted to be creative and did sculpture on his own.
Amid a very busy program in the parish, Nic sculpts as a hobby and gets orders from people from the area.
He also experienced one of the highlights of his life when the State President, Mr Marais Viljoen, appointed him as a sculptor to make a one-and-a-half life-size bust of him for the Council Chamber of Johannesburg’s City Council. A studio was set up for Nic in the presidency where he could work every Monday as the president posed.
Today, Nic Grobler is known for his “Sculpting with a Message”.
PETRA MAGYAR
Petra het in Hongarye grootgeword, waar sy ook as verpleegsuster gestudeer het. In 2007 het sy na Suid Afrika geïmmigreer en woon tans in Orania. Petra is ’n opkomende kunstenaar met geen formele kunsonderrig nie. Sy het reeds verskeie kunsprojekte vir haar dorp voltooi.
Haar gunstelingmediums is olieverf en houtskool. Sy het ’n groot liefde vir portretstudies en natuurlewe.
Sy glo daarin om met elke kunswerk te verbeter, elke projek is ’n uitdaging. Petra wil graag ‘n ryk nalatenskap deur haar kuns nalaat.
Petra grew up in Hungary, where she also studied as a nurse. In 2007 she immigrated to South Africa and currently resides in Orania. Petra is an emerging artist with no formal art education. She has already completed several art projects for her town.
Her favourite mediums are oil paint and charcoal. She has a great love for portrait studies and wildlife.
She believes in improving with every work of art, every project is a challenge. Petra would like to leave a rich legacy through her art.
PIETER WENTZEL
Pieter is in Breyten gebore en het in Bethal grootgeword waar hy sy skoolloopbaan in 1976 voltooi het. Hy studeer later verder aan die Pretoria Technikon.
As kind was Pieter altyd besig om te skets en was mal oor kuns. Hy het begin met potloodsketse, later pastelle en het in 1993 met olieverf begin eksperimenteer. Hy is grootliks beïnvloed deur ander bekende kunstenaars soos Rembrand, Pierneef, en Tinus en Gabriel de Jongh.
Nadat die Springbokke hul eerste Rugbywêreldbeker gewen het, het Pieter opdrag gekry om ’n reeks rugbyskilderye te maak waarvan sommige deur Nelson Mandela geteken is.
Pieter se passie is kuns … hy besoek graag kunsmuseums soos The National ART Gallery in Londen.
Pieter was born in Breyten and grew up in Bethal, where he completed his school career in 1976. He later continued his studies at the Pretoria Technikon.
As a child, Pieter was always busy drawing and loved art. He started with pencil sketches, later pastels and experimenting with oils in 1993. Pieter was greatly influenced by other known artists like Rembrandt, Pierneef, and Tinus and Gabriel de Jongh.
After the Springboks won their first Rugby World Cup, he was commissioned to do a series of rugby paintings, some signed by Nelson Mandela.
His passion in life is art … trying to visit as many famous art museums as possible, like The National ART Gallery in London.
SANNETTE BOSHOFF
Sannette is in 1967 in Laingsburg gebore. Sy is in 2000 met Dawie Fourie getroud en na Marloth Park verhuis. Sannette het nog altyd ’n lewendige belangstelling in kuns gehad. Sy het vir baie jare stofverf gedoen. In 2006 is Sannette se seun MJ gekies om die Suid-Afrikaanse President Ontwikkelingspan vir Gevegskuns by Groningen in Nederland te verteenwoordig. Sannette het begin skilder om die geld vir die toer in te samel.
Sedertdien het sy skilderye aan kliënte in die VSA, Duitsland, Nederland, Spanje, Australië en Suid-Afrika verkoop. In 2008 is sy genooi om ’n paneel van 2,4 m x 3,6 m vir die Samora Machel-museum by Mbuzini te doen. Die paneel is ’n moderne stuk wat die begrafnisrituele van swart stamme in Afrika suid van die Sahara uitbeeld. Die stuk is uitgevoer met slegs wrakstukke van die vliegtuig waarin Samora Machel in 1986 gesterf het.
Sannette was born in Laingsburg in 1967. She married Dawie Fourie in 2000 and moved to Marloth Park.
Sannette has always had a live interest in art. She did fabric painting for many years. In 2006, Sannette’s son MJ was selected to represent The South African President Development team for Martial Arts at Groningen in the Netherlands. She started painting to raise money for the tour.
Since then, she has sold paintings to clients in the USA, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Australia and South Africa. In 2008, she was invited to do a panel of 2,4 m x 3,6 m for the Samora Machel Museum at Mbuzini. The panel is a modern piece depicting the funeral rites of black tribes in Sub-Sahara Africa. The piece was executed using only wreckage from the Aircraft that Samora Machel died in 1986.
