Acclaimed South African-French artist, graphic designer and cultural worker Louis Jansen van Vuuren’s latest exhibition Terre Verte (Green Earth) comes the Baxter Theatre Centre foyer and is open to the public from 15 to 20 February,
This latest exhibition forms part of the Baxter’s 40th anniversary celebrations and is in support of the theatre’s 40/80 fundraising campaign.
“I am excited to present my first exhibition and the launch of the LJvV brand at the Baxter Theatre Centre and I am ecstatic to be part of this incredible campaign. We believe in and remain committed to supporting the arts and what better way to do this, than in this way,” says Jansen van Vuuren.
Launch of the LJvV brand
Louis’ latest endeavour encapsulates his indefatigable desire to push the boundaries – both on a personal level and in his work.
With the launch of the LJvV brand, he has embarked on one of the most ambitious chapters of his illustrious career. The collection spans multiple media – blurring the line between art and fashion in uniquely innovative, imaginative and idiosyncratic ways. But at its core, LJvV is a deeply mindful brand, conscious of a collective need for sustainable, high-quality organic materials.
Jansen van Vuuren’s work has gained him recognition and respect throughout South Africa and abroad. In addition to producing his very distinctive oils and pastels on paper, he has been actively involved in art education for several decades.
Louis Jansen van Vuuren
With over 80 exhibitions to his credit his work is extensively represented in major public and corporate art collections in South Africa, Europe and the USA. These include leading companies, institutions and galleries such as the Shamwari Collection, South African National Gallery, Engen, Vodacom, Ellerman House, Santam, Investec Bank, First National Bank, Rand Merchant Bank, Anglo Vaal, the Universities of University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Western Cape and Bloemfontein, the Museum of Modern Art (San Francisco) and the Constitutional Court Collection in Johannesburg.
He has enjoyed a prolific career as lecturer and over the years has held positions at the Natal College for Advanced Technical Education, the Department of Creative Arts at University of Stellenbosch and UCT’s Michaelis School of Fine Art, where he was promoted to senior lecturer – a position he held until 1999.
Some of his esteemed cultural appointments held include being the chairperson, and later, national president of the South African Association of Arts (which became known as the Association for Visual Arts); serving on the Board of Trustees of the South African National Gallery and on the Acquisitions Committee for the Department of Education as well as being a specialist member for the Framework Committee for Vocational Education for the Department of National Education. Louis was the editor of the SA Arts Calendar and in 1993 he was elected as the First Vice-Commissioner for the Venice Biennale (South African entry).
Since 2000 Jansen van Vuuren has been living, painting and writing fulltime in France. Along with Hardy Olivier the pair are the residing hosts of the spectacular Château de la Creuzette, an idyllic estate prospered over the years into an acclaimed and sought-after luxury holiday destination with a wide range of themed breakaways are on offer every year.
The Baxter Theatre Centre 40/80 Campaign
As part of its 40th anniversary and 40/80 Campaign, the Baxter Theatre Centre is running a competition whereby the public donate R100 and they stand in line to win the grand prize of a trip for one, to Château de La Creuzette, regarded as one of the finest country establishments in Boussac, France.
The total value of the prize is R50 000 and includes an Emirates return flight to France, accommodation at the château and a choice of one of the superb week-long activities on offer – painting, cooking or wellness.
Entries for the competition close on 26 February and all funds raised will go towards the Baxter’s Production Fund. To find out more about the competition and how to enter visit.
WHERE: Baxter Theatre Centre, Main Road, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7700
WHEN: open to the public and can be seen daily in the Baxter’s main foyer from 15 to 20 February.
PHOTO: Louis Jansen van Vuuren, The Legend of Daphne
