Sculptor: Stan Ferguson - SHEFFIELD BEACH

It was such an unexpected bonus - having Stan's works submitted for exhibition - with a feel for creating sculpted works from discarded items.............his pieces fitted the bill of "Antiquity" ...to the tee!! They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder...oh, that the world could see beauty the way Stan sees it....creatively!!!


Shown above - Sea Green - also known as ANTIQUITY I - Porthole - the porthole is from a sunken ship....hidden treasure?? This piece was used to set the tone in the ' Study' set up of the Exhibition .

I asked Stan's wife Wendy Ferguson - an artist who also has a post on the blog - for a little background info on the man ...she had this to say...

Stan has been making his creative sculptures for several years - using glorious old pieces of wood, railway sleepers and other - which he teams with 'found' objects chosen mainly for their unique shapes and the interesting way they have aged. Some of his works are large free-standing pieces and incorporate beadwork from northern Zululand circa 1950's, handmade wooden beads, cloth from central and East Africa, copper, wire, etc. All the railway-sleeper-bolts are also dated, some going back to 1929.

One of Stan's wood sculptures. Free-standing. Title 'The Railway' because he has used old railway sleepers and original old 'dated' railway-sleeper-bolts. (Wendy Ferguson)

ANTIQUITY III - Wood Plane...note the brass tap which lifts the colour of the wood and draws attention to the shape of the plane...

'IRON MAN' - A 'character piece' in antique woods, burnished copper and pebbles.

A picture in copper mounted on wood. The title is 'ASP' because of the symbolism of the snake with forked tongue.

Good Coverage for SmART in the Northglen News!!!

Chuffed....to say the very least!!!!....at the article published in the Northglen News' 10th July edition
Great coverage for the Exhibition and the N.P.O. iThemba Lethu !! Many thanks to Sharmaine Reuter for being in attendance and for the fabulous write up...much appreciated!!

Artist: Jocelyn Reitz - DURBAN NORTH

Thought provoking and moving, a work depicting inner strength - words I'm inclined to use to describe the work in oil on board , 400mm x 500mm, simply entitled - The Wiseman.....mind you, one cannot expect less from this accomplished artist who also paints under the name - JOZI.....................watch this space for updates/new works

Opening Evening - Wednesday 24th June 2009

It's said that Home is where the Hearth is..............and so in an attempt to embody all the comforts of home with the added element of beautiful artwork........this is the sight our visitors to the Opening Evening beheld as they walked down the driveway............the braziers set aglow by glorious woodfires set the tone on a superb Winter's night in Durban!!

The tables were set....................

The art was hung......

Not always an easy task to photograph the artwork behind glass....the reflection cannot do these pieces any justice.....but most have appeared on separate posts where the work can be viewed...see Emma Robb, Pearl Murray

An antique kitchen cupboard was used to great effect to display oils by Ronnie Huber -Potted Geraniums, Persimmons and Cutlery (SOLD); Ann Maree Harrington's - A Simple Fare and Sharon Goulding's oil - Agnes of uShaka (SOLD)

An Ethnic Mixed collage by Wendy Ferguson, wildlife - Wild Dog & Zebra (oils)by Louise Roodt ,floral Fantasia (oil)by Janet Gray and portrait Leonardo's Muse (oil)(SOLD) - and large mixed metal and wood Floral piece by Gift Madziva (SOLD) were hung together to create a mini African Renaissance ...

An oil by Corrie Scribante in the traditional Old Masters style - White Roses - looked fabulous against the dark backdrop!!

So too, the works above - back wall - the mixed piece, top left - Point Road/Mahatma Gandhi facade drew many an ooh and an aah. Below that is the peaceful Ashore, an oil by Barbyra Smith. Top Right is an acrylic, Geranium III (SOLD) by Wendy Ferguson and bottom, Harbour (Wilson's Wharf) - an oil by Les Foyn

Adjacent wall - Bev Letard's striking Koi I & II in acrylic inks, as well as Guilia's colourful, contemporary Poppies Aglow 7,8 & 9...also acrylic ink. Below - Poppies, a strong , confident piece in oil by Colleen Barker...and just to the right of that is Emma Robb's - Something of Value.

A study scene was set with the hanging of John Donno's two watercolours.....an interesting theme piece of Stonehenge - a view through the forest entitled Salisbury (top) - and the very peaceful , softly hued Crouch End (bottom).

Hung alongside, are the captivating photographs by Emil von Maltitz - Tintern Abbey, Madonna (somewhere between Mbunbini Abbey and Fangs Pass) and Sunrise over Amphitheatre -see Emil's post made pre Exhibition

Pewter boxes and candle by Carmad Studio and The Porthole - a sculpture by Stan Ferguson, complete the picture.

Another collection that worked well together -Wrapped - an abstract acrylic ink by Guilia hung above the dramatic, Red Sky at Night -Shepherds' Delight by Colleen Barker and the very happy portrait of Mother and Child, Going to Market by Mabel Armitage

Joelle Gibson - of iThemba Lethu (I Have a destiny) delivers her speech...touching hearts and minds with the harsh reality of abandoned or orphaned children as a result of HIV/AIDS and whose lives this non profit organisation sets out to touch, change and bring hope to by facilitating adoption into suitable families.

Book Launch -Palette of a Pondering Poet - an exciting and new happening for a SmART opening evening. Here poet, Allen Foyn delivers
his first reading of the evening

A good time was had by all!!!

Walter Hurlimann and Jeremy Whysall share a funny moment!!!

Ever faithful patrons of the Arts...Vaughan Spaull, Ian & Sharon Marsh

Poet, Allen Foyn ; guest speaker, Joelle Gibson and Exhibitor, Vanessa Hurlimann

Top photo - Guests Michael and Toni Wilkins bump into a friend...small place this Durban...
Above - Louise Roodt (artist) in conversation with one of the guests.

Bottom - in the foreground - Joelle Gibson chats to a guest about iThemba Lethu

Artist: Wendy Ferguson - SHEFFIELD BEACH

Accomplished artist, Wendy Ferguson might be new to this blog; but certainly not to the Art World per se - having successfully exhibited many times over the years at various venues - to mention just two - the NSA Gallery, Durban and Art in the Park, Pietermaritzburg.

Wendy's style and subject choice, though distinctive, is also varied - demonstrating an enormous capacity for all things creative!! Three paintings were submitted - as well as a mixed media collage which is unfortunately not posted here (no photo available)

Above - the very lovely, almost 'dreamy' (for want of a better word) oil painting - 'Spirit of Agapanthus' - (580mm x 480mm) a reflective piece - almost like looking out your window at your garden , on a rainy day......

Wild Coast Geese - (520mm x 620mm) a charming work in oils (on board) that embodies all the characteristic confidence that geese just have!!

Agapanthus III - (700mm x 700mm) a simple yet very striking acrylic that was mounted onto a white canvas board giving ita clean contemporary look - this piece sold on the Opening Evening of the Exhibition!

Artist: Emma Robb - UMDLOTI

Award winning artist, Emma never fails to delight when it comes to exhibiting works with intrigue!! She submitted several pieces - using various media,oils,charcoal,printmaking... each with a different story to tell.......Top Painting is an oil, 400mm x 400mm, simply entitled - Something of Value - a very 'Renaissancy' piece....but then again all of the works submitted were theme based...Particularly lovely, the oil above - Discovered and Rest (600mm x 750mm) is awash with colour and light!!

The very beautiful charcoal - Not alone (600mm x 700mm) - drew much attention at the exhibition.............it's a piece that draws one into a place of reflection. This is a mounted and framed work.

As interesting, is the printmaking work - A Vision - simply mounted in white with a black frame which enhances the work even more....

...and then there's - Grace - an oil (600mm x 750mm) ....a painting that sets the scene of sisterhood.............mmm Woman's Day is on the horizon...and so for that matter is Emma's next post with her new beautiful floral palette oils!!!

Sharon de Beer, Alive Photography - DURBAN

Wikipedia defines the word :

Photography (pronounced /fәˈtɒɡrәfi/[1]) (from Greek φωτο and γραφία) is the process, activity and art of creating still or moving pictures by recording radiation on a sensitive medium, such as a photographic film, or an electronic sensor.

Light patterns reflected or emitted from objects activate a sensitive chemical or electronic sensor during a timed exposure, usually through a photographic lens in a device known as a camera that also stores the resulting information chemically or electronically.

Photography has many uses for business, science, art and pleasure.

The word "photography" comes from the Greek φώς (phos) "light" + γραφίς (graphis) "stylus", "paintbrush" or γραφή (graphê) "representation by means of lines" or "drawing", together meaning "drawing with light."

I particularly like the part -

the art of creating -

Sharon's work is nothing short of pure creativity given the theme around which to work.....she has Recalled the Age of Antiquity with alacrity -

the 'photoshop' images shown here

- Antique Pearls & Lace ; and

Antique Cup & Saucer

were those chosen for the exhibition; but I thought it prudent to post the sepia and colour works too as a testament to her insight and diverse thinking when it comes to imagery!!

and of 'many uses...for art & pleasure...'

One is instantaneously transported into an imaginery world(e) of Victorian Tea Parties ,one reminiscent of all things bright and beautiful!!!

Sepia Images - Antique cup and Saucer and Antique Pearls & Lace

Colour images - the very beautiful green Antique Cup and Saucer

....and the creamy Antique Pearls and Lace

Artist: Sharleen Boaden - DURBAN NORTH

It's often in the interpretation of a theme by an artist, that the nature, the character of the artist is revealed....Sharleen's oils submitted for the Renaissance - Recalling the Age of Antiquity Exhibition reveal a romantic, thoughtful side .....

- top painting - Age of Antiquity - 600mm x 600mm - gentle hues are used in the painting of a child at play under a fountain...........which leaves the viewer lost in thought, jogging memories from days gone by.....

- bottom painting - Leonardo's Muse - 300 x 300 - a soft sketched portrait that entranced all with it's almost ethereal nature....

Leonardo's Muse sold on the 2nd day of the exhibition!!

Artist: Cheryl Cawdron- DURBAN NORTH

As always, Cheryl's vibrant, clean palette strikes a chord and creates immediate interest!!

Her works are so distinctive in style, resulting in immediate recognition of her canvasses long after the fact....

Fantasy Garden I (top) & II (bottom) were submitted for the Exhibition, with no. I being swooped up on the Opening night!!

Artist: Juliette Gjersoe - WESTVILLE

Very few artists are as enthusiatic as Juliette is when it comes to embracing exhibition themes!! One mention of the phrase "Renaissance - Recalling the Age of Antiquity", immediately set her to work - and that work was not just 'painting' per se, but researching what and how to paint the subject matter at hand - Juliette looked to the Old Masters for inspiration and technique in palette and application.... "by Jove - I think she's got it!!"

see top oil - Single Rose - 500mm x 250mm - the light and beauty of the rose pervades the darkness

above : oil - Yellow Orchids - 600mm x 350mm, again a beautiful piece which seems to pull itself out of the shadows;
and Apples on a Plate - an oil - 350mm x 600mm......the antique plate sets the tone...

Three Eggs - an oil 500mm x 500mm...an 'out of the box' application???
Below...the piece de resisitance - Nude Youth 1475 - oil - 500mm x 400mm : detail from the fresco at the Vatican Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo