International Artists in Residency announces the upcoming exhibition “How Far is Africa?” at the Artists Gallery new space at 18 Loop Street, Cape Town Cape Town, South Africa.
NEWS FLASH! 3 Inspiring Exhibitions
- How Far Is Africa? – 18 Loop Street
- Dual Exhibition – 33 Bree Street
- Curated Exhibition – 34 Bree Street
How Far is Africa?
This exhibition taking place February 19–23, 2025 is the culmination of their third joint residency, following successful programs in the United States and Mexico.
The artists, Annette Werndl, Guillermo Bublik, Claudia Hassel, and Leonard Gabriel, bring their unique artistic visions together, creating a compelling dialogue about colour, form, and human expression. The four artists have forged a deep creative connection over the years, each bringing a distinct perspective to the group.
Their collaborative journey began in 2022 at the Eileen S Kaminsky Family Foundation, Mana Contemporary, Jersey City, and has since flourished through various residencies and exhibitions.
“We are immensely proud to have supported this residency for four remarkable artists, culminating in an exhibition that promises to be a standout moment in Cape Town’s art scene. Showcasing artists from different corners of the world in one space is a truly inspiring opportunity, and I have no doubt that this exhibition will be a highlight for art lovers and enthusiasts alike.” – Jaret Loggenberg, Managing Director of The Artists Gallery and an accomplished artist herself.
Barbara Lenhard, part of the team, has curated various art exhibitions over the last seven years, both locally and internationally. After a successful exhibition with Annette Werndl in a Carmelite monastery built in 1298 in Kassel, Germany, in 2023, a friendship developed, leading to conversations about hosting a colourful exhibition in Cape Town together.
WHAT: “How Far is Africa?” | Dual Exhibition | Curated Exhibition
WHERE: Artists Gallery – new space, 18 Loop Street (Cnr. Waterkant Street), Cape Town 8001 | And SEE MAP ABOVE
WHEN: 19 – 23 February 2025 daily 11 AM – 5 PM
INFO: T +27 (0)64 7581714 | E emma@narrativepr.co.za | VISIT
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ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Annette Werndl
Annette Werndl’s artistic journey is deeply rooted in a lifelong passion for painting, shaped by early influences and years of dedicated study. Her work follows the tradition of abstract expressionism, where colour and gesture take precedence over form. After training under esteemed artists and art tudors such as Markus Lüpertz, Jerry Zeniuk, and Hermann Nitsch, Werndl refined her distinctive style — an intuitive interplay of layered textures and dynamic brushstrokes that invite the viewer into a world of emotional depth and movement. Her paintings are characterised by a rhythmic vibrancy, evoking a sense of spontaneity and raw expression. Werndl’s work has gained international recognition, with exhibitions in New York, Mexico and Germany where her paintings are widely collected. Her ability to create immersive, emotionally charged compositions has solidified her position as a sought-after contemporary artist. Through her art, she aims to capture the unspoken dialogues of the human spirit, continuously pushing the boundaries of abstraction.
Guillermo Bublik
For Guillermo Bublik, painting is an extension of his lifelong fascination with patterns, structure, and the unseen forces that shape our world. Originally trained as a physicist, he perceives both science and art as complementary disciplines — each seeking to reveal underlying truths through exploration and discovery. His paintings are defined by their vivid use of colour, layered forms, and a deep engagement with spatial relationships. Bublik draws inspiration from his interactions with collectors, valuing the personal connections that form when his art finds a place in people’s lives. His works have been exhibited in the United States, Mexico, and beyond, captivating audiences with their striking compositions and intricate interplay of form and movement. His artistic practice is driven by a desire to challenge perception, using color as a language to explore the tension between chaos and harmony.
Claudia Hassel
Claudia Hassel’s artistic practice revolves around the boundless possibilities of color. From an early age, she perceived the world through a chromatic lens, associating hues with letters, numbers, and emotions. This innate sensitivity to colour informs her work, where geometric and organic forms coexist in a seemingly contradictory yet harmonious interplay. Her paintings invite viewers to step into a multidimensional world, where depth and movement emerge through intricate layering and the strategic placement of color fields. Influenced by her studies under Jerry Zeniuk and her experiences in residencies across the United States, Mexico, China, and Germany, Hassel has developed a signature style that challenges traditional notions of space and perception. Her work has been exhibited in numerous international venues, earning recognition for its compelling visual dialogue between structure and fluidity. Through her exploration of color’s emotional and psychological impact, she creates compositions that transcend mere aesthetics, engaging the viewer on a deeper sensory level.
Leonard Gabriel
Leonard Gabriel’s paintings delve into the complexities of human emotion, capturing intimate moments through the language of body movement and gesture. His background in photography and advertising informs his keen sense of composition, framing his subjects with a cinematic quality that draws the viewer into each scene. His works move beyond literal representation, instead conveying the essence of human connection through expressive brushwork and dynamic cropping. Gabriel’s artistic career has spanned multiple creative fields, from photography to teaching, before he fully devoted himself to painting at the age of 50. His work has been exhibited in major art fairs and galleries across Paris, Madrid, Venice, and beyond, earning acclaim for its ability to resonate on a deeply emotional level. His compositions, often inspired by his early fascination with capturing images through a camera lens, reflect an ongoing exploration of perspective and narrative. By channeling his experience into his painting practice, Gabriel continues to push the boundaries of figurative expression, creating pieces that feel both personal and universal.
