PRINCE ALBERT OPEN STUDIOS 17-20 June 2021
www.princealbertopenstudios.co.za
Botanical artist Sally Arnold at work (Photo Samantha Reinders) Opposite Page: Acrylic painting by Elcado Blom
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ince its outset in 2017, Prince Albert Open Studios has been attracting an array of art lovers to the picturesque Karoo village, Prince Albert. The magnetism of this event owes a lot to the diversity of creatives that are part of its artistic community. Here is a brief taste of what you may encounter… One can visit the studios of artists painting in both acrylics and oils – Sonja Fourie, Mariana Botha, Kevin de Klerk, Deidre Maree, Cobus van Bosch (who also creates fine handcrafted knives), John O’Sullivan, Erika van Zyl, and Diane Johnson-Ackerman, who is also a printmaker, specialising in etching and linocuts. Also not to be missed is the studio of botanical fine artist and designer Sally Arnold, whose meticulous botanical drawings and paintings are elegant and sophisticated. Newcomer to Prince Albert is Anna Stone, who does resonant portraits and still-life in charcoal, conté, oils, and pastel-painting. Her work can be seen at the Prince Albert Gallery. Also showing there is Mary Anne Botha, who leans towards abstract art, in mixed media incorporating photography and collage. Next door to the Gallery is the studio of Rebecca Haysom, who incorporates collage, painting and paper maché in her narrative pieces.
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At ‘Karoo Souk’, one can witness specialised and ancient crafts – hand-forged metalwork by artist-blacksmith Kashief Booley, and hand-spinning and hand-weaving of high quality mohair rugs at Karoo Looms. While visiting the functional, there is Pat Hyland, who makes creative lighting with a steampunk edge out of repurposed fittings and old car parts. Another fine craftsperson is Turid Bergstedt, whose meticulous, hand-crafted kaleidoscopes of varying sizes and designs describe beauty arising from geometry. Then there is jewellery designer Di van der Riet Steyn, whose line ‘Karoo Blues’ incorporates found pottery shards set in pure silver into wearable art. On the topic of the found, avid collector Collette Hurt creates pieces from found objects, her signature work being Bull and Gemsbok horns made from rust. The variety doesn’t end here! There is ceramicist Sue Savage’s light and friendly studio, a space where she teaches classes, and creates and shows her pots. She works entirely by hand-building – pinching, coiling, and slabbing. Another experience not to be missed is that of Heleen de Haas on Aswater Farm. Considering her farm as her canvas, one can experience her letter art and calligraphy in her studio, land art installations, hand-carved letters on stones, a word labyrinth, and letter art used in interior décor! Heleen will be doing guided ‘tours’ daily at 10am and 2pm, and there will be a pop up tearoom! There are two galleries to visit – the Prince Albert Gallery, which shows a variety of South African artists, specialising in painting, sculpture, printmaking and ceramics, and who also represent local Prince Albert artists; and Watershed Gallery, known for its collection of JP Meyer’s work, and Jürgen Schadeberg prints. It is also home to the studio of Kevin de Klerk, who is currently
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