L'Atelier 2017

Last year I didn’t go to L’Atelier because the previous year had been so disappointing. Yes, Absa, I’m sorry but it’s the truth. This year was good, but there will always be the piece where you ask WT_? Sandwiches, come on.

The artist who presented the Mono Printing workshop had a piece on exhibition and he actually remembered me. I love his piece, very good. 

The food was so excellent, the lamb dish I could have eaten all night. The dessert cart looked amazing and tempting and had to be guarded by the chefs from the kitchen to the display area. People were following it, and attacking it like hyenas on an injured impala.

The entertainment included dancers, with their bodies painted, in some cases an extension of the artwork, or a copy of the artwork. There was one wonderful moment where a guest started dancing to the music  (You can dance until the night is done and it’s time to go, or something like that) next to this ‘human statue’  hoping to get some respose from her, she never batted an eyelid.

I put the video on Instagram and this was her response: Hahaha I was hoping I could find this ... I wanted to laugh so hard #StatueGurl

It was a wonderful evening, great vibe. Thanks for sharing it with me Liam.

Oh yes, Liam got all the winners to sign our boss' book. 

On a day when I didn't go to work

I took a day off work and browsed through Everard Read, and at Circa they were still setting up the exhibition for the evening, First Thursday.

Would have loved to explore Keyes Art Mile but it was still so busy with labourers, construction works and store managers all trying to get things done. Laying the tiles for the stairs, paving the sidewalk and fitting lights etc. I wasn't sure if the scaffolding was going up or coming down, supports were being carried in and out, hmm. I am rather going to wait for the ta-da! moment when everything is complete. 

Drove the short distance to Delta Cafe for lunch then walked around in the community vegetable garden before stumbling upon Bamboo Palace. Good chat with the guy there; sorry I didn't get his name. Anyway, lovely and eclectic collection of furniture, paintings and nic-nacs. Inspired to paint some furniture myself (but nothing really comes of it).

Before you know it it's late afternoon and I pop into the River Cafe (Sandton Field and Study centre) for an early supper. Then a walk along the river. 

On the other side of the river, a stream really, amongst the trees and boulders, and within the fenced boundaries of the park, are groups of homeless or vagrants soaking up the last warmth of the sun before the cold of night creeps into their bones. Is it an unwritten agreement, by mutual consent, that they will remain on that side of the stream while on this side suburbans walk their dogs, jog or play ball with their children?

A place in time (at Nirox)

The winter sculpture exhibition closes next weekend, end July, so we spent Saturday afternoon at this wonderful park. Strolling along the paths, around the dams and on the banks of the river, from exhibit to exhibit. The sun just warm enough to make you mellow and slow your pace, taking the time to look at everything properly. Although looking didn’t bring clear understanding on some of the pieces.

I am also sure we missed a few, although not number 11, which you could have mistaken for a real spider’s web if it wasn’t numbered. I bought a catalogue but didn’t really consult it. I thought I would read through it later but I haven’t yet. Sigh.

There were monkeys running around, up the trees and a cat crouched in the grass not wanting to be seen. Benches and chairs placed to the edge of the water invited you to sit and indulge your laziness. Close your eyes and listen to nature. Bliss.

Surely not still a novice

Trish made this range of bowls to go with my eclectic dinner service. Thanks so much, love it.

Just add cement

Sunday morning exhibition opening in town

At the Everard Read

Another solo exhibition by Lionel Smit. I loved the large yellow portrait.

FNB Joburg Art Fair 2014

I apologise for the lights, glares and flares on some of the images. I took mostly close-ups of the artwork.

Turbine Hall Art Fair

Enjoyed the morning. Even bought a piece of art ;-)
Sorry about the flares and glares on the images.

More great work from Lionel!

Lionel Smit at Circa.

Reflection

Reflecting on activities over the past week. 1 - The wheels just came off ;-) 2 - Sometimes a burger is just the right meal. This was served with the best chips EVER. 3 - One of my favourite shops, Le Château. 4 - Exhibition at Wits Art Museum. 5 - Enjoying the sunset with my dogs. 6 - On the Gautrain to Pretoria. 7 - Home by bus, in the rain. 8 - It looks so pretty, all these seedlings, you think, but they are all weeds. Argh!

And across the road at Everard Read

Norman Catherine @ CIRCA

Sorry about the glare on some of the pics.

FNB Art Fair

I enjoy it every year, but last year's was the best one.

Screenprinting

Exhibition at the Sandton Gallery. Nice work, refreshing, inspiring.
And I loved how open and spacious it was.

Outsider

Exhibition at the Media Mill.

Contexturise

New works by South Africa's leading fibre and textile artists.

I am only showing detail/close-ups of the artwork because the WOW is in the detail.

FADA Gallery, University of Johannesburg