Words from the Park Bench….
Now that the winter season is fast approaching, I have had time to reflect on the first year here at our newest location in Hout Bay. Don’t worry; we still have the Kloof St. gallery. As I look back, I have been thinking about one particularly annoying question I have been asked a few times: “Why do you carry foreign artwork and not solely South African work?” To me, this is an odd question. I mean, what are they really asking here? It seems to imply that I am not loyal to South African artists. *(I always note that this question is posed to me by someone wearing a Polo shirt (USA), carrying a Louis Vuitton handbag (France) and wearing Gucci sunglasses (Italy) – South Africa’s fashion designer supporters? -ha-ha!)
My reply is usually that we don’t collect/promote artwork based on the nationality of an artist but instead by its appeal to us and how it fits with other artwork we carry. This being said, I also point out that at least half our artwork – painting and ceramics, IS created by South African artisans/artists. In fact, I believe that South Africa has some of the most creative and exceptional ceramics that I have ever seen.
We also carry a collection of artwork to show something different to clients – there are already a lot of galleries promoting well known South African names. We present well known and collected names from overseas.
Then you must consider our gallery’s own identity – I (Canadian) met Glenn in New York while promoting artwork by Canadian and American artists and Glenn (Zimbabwean) was promoting Zimbabwean sculpture. We have met, through our travels, various artists from other countries like the UK and even the Canadian artists I promoted were immigrants from countries like Serbia, Hungary, Azerbaijan and Russia. So therefore, I am not going to be particularly nationalistic about my art program in the gallery. This idea of a multicultural mosaic is kind of a Canadian mentality perhaps, but I am sticking to it. But PLEASE buyers, remember that Glenn and I cross promote artwork and have introduced to both the UK market and the North American market, artwork by South Africans as well as Zimbabweans.
In fact, Glenn will be presenting South African painter David Kuijers’ collections to the UK this year and we now feature his work in both of our Hout Bay and Kloof St. galleries.
We proudly present new artwork by sought after sculptor Dominic Benhura. Yes, he is still producing sculptures though his access to supplies has been complicated by the most recent troubles in Zimbabwe.
Our new gallery in Hout Bay has been visited by many of our Cape Town clients and they have enjoyed its relaxed surroundings – we are nicely situated in an outdoor shopping centre near an outdoor coffee shop. I have been caffeinating myself every day almost and realize I must switch to Rooibos tea if I know what is good for me.
Anyway, there’s my rant from the Park Bench.
–Carlie Edward-Sullivan
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