Particular Presence – Portraits from the Sanlam Art Collection is the new exhibition that opened at the Art Gallery in August, and Stefan Hundt,Curator of the Sanlam Art Collection, walks us through the show on this Sanlam Arts Round Up.
Listen to the Sanlam Arts Round Up on Fine Music Radio FMR 101.3fm every Friday at 17h30
Particular Presence is a selection of 55 works dating from 1896 to the present and Stefan explains that portraits have been part of Sanlam’s collecting strategy. The focus being how artists see themselves and others.
The Gwelo Goodman self portrait dates back to the 19th century with another work, painted much later, that reflects the changes and development of the artist over time. The same applies to works by Trevor Howard, Maggie Laubscher and Irma Stern, who are represented by several works each. The show consciously is set up to ensure a dialogue between the works.
Pieter Wenning | Erich Meyer | Gerhard Benghu
There is a selection of portraits of past Chairmen of Sanlam, where some at for the artist, while others were done posthumously from photographs. Stefan suggests that you will pick up the difference, and he also comments about the difference between photographic and painted portraits. Sitting for a portrait, the artist gets to see the person over time and be able to capture the moment that reflects the personality of the sitter. But essentially, every portrait reflects the artist’s own personality whether of self or the sitter.
Claude Jammet | Marianne Podlashuc
Backgrounds are important. It seems that artists prefer not to detract from the person, yet there are others where the setting reflects the personality of the subject.
The self portrait by Selwin Pekeur – lead photo above –Â is a case in point where the artist portrays both himself and Madiba in a specifically Cape Town context.
Stefan also refers to the sculptures, which are not strictly portraits, but do represent people in general. he highlights the wooden works by George Ramagaga.
Included in the exhibition are the winning works from the Sanlam Portrait Award 2013 – 2019.The winner of the Ruste en Vrede National Portrait Award will be announced in November.
- You can call 021 947 3359 to make a date for a guided tour of Particular Presence – Portraits from the Sanlam Art Collection.Â
WHAT:Â Particular Presence – Portraits from the Sanlam Art Collection
WHERE: Sanlam Art Gallery, 2 Strand Street, Belville, Cape Town 7530
WHEN: Mondays to Friday 09:00 – 16:30.
INFO: T 021 947 3359 | E sanlamart@sanlam.co.za | Visit
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