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Jannie van Heerden
Tree Potrait III
Oil on Canvas
49 X 64
sold
Msinga Valley
Oil on Canvas
114 x 89.5 cm
sold
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The paintings on exhibition focus on the landscape of Msinga, a largely rural area located in the deep gorges of the Tugela and Buffalo Rivers in KwaZulu Natal. Using a deliberate expressionistic style, van Heerden manipulates medium and brush to capture the rugged beauty of the landscape.
“The Karoo has for many years been my source of inspiration as it is unspoilt and primordial. For the present exhibition I have used the Msinga area of KZN as my subject matter as it contains the same strong shapes and distorted landscape ravaged by drought and further destroyed by overgrazing; trees and plants become metaphors for life. They are set off against weathered and fantastical rock forms” says van Heerden
Jannie is no stranger to the African Art Centre. Since 1990 he has worked tirelessly in the promotion and development of art and craft in KwaZulu Natal.
He has curated numerous exhibitions and is co-author of
Amagugu KwaZulu – Zulu Treasures
catalogue. In 2009, he published Zulu Basketry a definitive guide to contemporary basket weaving from the Hlabisa area of KwaZulu Natal.
Jannie hold a Masters degree in Fine Art and a Diploma in Education. Until recently, he was the Deputy Chief Education Specialist for the KwaZulu-Natal Education Department where he was employed as head of Visual Arts and Design. He has participated in numerous group exhibitions and had his first solo exhibition in Cape Town in 1973.
Zolani Mpente is a full time artist who resides near Port St Johns in the deep rural Dedeni area. He started carving whilst still at school and very soon developed a passion for the medium of wood.
As a youngster he started carving sculptures of domestic animals. When Zolani was completing Grade eleven his father passed away and he had to find a way of making money to support his younger siblings. He very soon mastered the technique of wood carving and started producing, scenes of rural stock farming, Nguni Cattle and milking sets.
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Zolani Mpente
Milking Set I
Cow 12 x 6 x 21 cm
Man 9 x 3.5 cm x 10 cm
R 4 800.00
Milking Set II
Cow 12 x 6 x 21 cm
Man 9 x 3.5 x 10 cm
R 4 800.00
Grazing Cow
10 x 3.5 x 18 cm
Sold
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Tree Portrait I
Oil on Canvas
33 x 25 cm
sold
Secrete Glade
Oil on Canvas
49 x 64 cm
sold
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Zolani was greatly inspired and mentored by his brother in law, the late Julius Mfethe. His preferred medium is Umgubhe, Umsimbithi, Umthunzi and Masethole wood which he combines to achieve various textures and tones in wood.
Zolani hopes that his alliance with the African Art Centre will assist him in improving his capacity as an artist in order for him to incur a sustainable income to support his family and eventually build a studio from which he can work.
The exhibition closes on 28 March 2010. For additional information contact the Director, Sharon Crampton at 031-312 3805 or
africanartcentre@afri-art.co.za
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Ploughing Oxens
Oxen 12 x 4.5 x 18 cm
Man 16 x 5.5 cm
R 7 200.00
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Horse and Rider
Horse 14 x 4 x 12 cm
Man 13.5 x 4 cm
sold
Donkey With Luggage
10 x 3x 13 cm
R 840.00
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