Whether you are an art enthusiast or simply curious about the creativity and inspiration that drives artists as well as the significance of their artworks, you will find the following sessions in the Strauss & Co Series of illustrated presentations during the FynArts Festival both enlightening and thought-provoking.
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 of Fine Art at the University of Cape Town, is also a past Director of the Michaelis School of Fine Art. Saturday 8 June at 11:00 at the Windsor Hotel.
Sidney Kumalo and Ezrom 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, authors of The Sculptures of Sidney Kumalo and Ezram Legae – A Catalogue Raisonne. Saturday 8 June at 15:00 at the Municipal Auditorium.
“Diane Victor – Prints, Drawings, Smoke” is the topic of a presentation by artist and curator, Gordon Froud. Known for her biting critique, satirical and social contemporary of South African society, on political corruption, violence and economic exploitation, Victor’s upcoming museum shows in France and on her works made at the Atelier le Grand Village will also be touched on by Froud. Sunday 9 June, 09:30 at the Municipal Auditorium.
Flowers appear in artworks as early as ancient Greece and Egypt. 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. She will explore topics as diverse as world trade, passion and economics. Monday 10 June at 15:00.
As part of the series of book talks, Amanda Botha, award-winning art journalist and documentary filmmaker, will talk to Frans Meyer about his memoir of his brother, the artist Walter Meyer, Impossible Skies. In this memoir about his brother, Meyer and Botha will explore the artist’s roots, his legacy as a fine painter of distinctly South African landscapes. Friday 14 June at 17:00 at the Windsor Hotel.All tickets for the Strauss & Co Series are R100. Bookings at Webtickets, Hermanus Tourism and the FynArts Gallery, The Courtyard, 2 Harbour Road.