Conrad Theys’ 70th birthday was celebrated on 8th September with the opening of a retrospective of this celebrated artists’ work at the Sasol Art Museum in Stellenbosch, held in conjunction with the Stellenbosch Art Gallery.
Art Lovers view the show
Conrad Theys’ 70th birthday was celebrated on 8th September with the opening of a retrospective of this celebrated artists’ work at the Sasol Art Museum in Stellenbosch, held in conjunction with the Stellenbosch Art Gallery. The exhibition, was opened by Prof. Russell Botman, coincided with the launch of the richly illustrated book, The Art of Conrad Theys – Soul of the Land, written by Prof Alexander Duffey and compiled by Meyer Grobbelaar. Seventy leather-bound Collector’s edition volumes, as well as the standard edition, was presented at this occasion where books were signed by the artist. Apart from the book launch and retrospective, an exhibition of selected works are available at the Stellenbosch Art Gallery. Theys was born in the town of Montagu on the 9th of September 1940 and he describes himself as a child of nature, recalling with fondness the days of his youth spent wandering the veldt, studying and collecting the stones found in the landscapes of the Klein Karroo and later Namaqualand. Trained as a teacher, his instruction in the arts commenced in 1969 when he sought guidance from artist Gregoire Boonzaier, under whose mentorship he worked until 1972. In 1974 Theys embarked on a full-time artistic career, and augmented his studies under Edwine Simon at the Ruth Prowse School of Art in Cape Town between 1981 and 1982. Described as one of the last ‘Cape Impressionists’, In 2004 the University of South Africa awarded him with an honorary doctorate for his contribution to the arts and this year he was awarded a Medal of Honour for the Visual Arts by the South African Academy of Science and Arts. His work can be found in major South African collections, including the SABC, SA Reserve Bank, Rand Merchant Bank and the ABSA Art Collections. Together with the launch of his book and exhibition The art of Conrad Theys – Soul of the land.
Conrad recieving his award from AKW Prof WJ Pienaar and Prof Alex Duffy looks on
The rector of University of Stellenbosch
Professor Alex Duffy
Conrad Theys and his wife Elizabeth