Gardens’ art grandeur

FRANSCHHOEK is famous for its wonderful restaurants and wine farms; now, with many galleries in the village and on wine estates, it’s adding art to its attractions with Franschhoek Art, which launched this week and runs until November 13.

We popped in at The Blue Lion Gallery at Artemis last week for a sneak preview of an exhibition by three local artists called The Gardener, The Painter & The Potter. The owner of the property, Andrea Desmond-Smith, is the painter in the title, and her work reflects her indigenous garden.The gardener is Henk Scholtz, who painted joyous and optimistic flowerscapes for three years and Sue van Rensburg is the potter.

Desmond-Smith took us for a walk around her fabulous garden, which is part of this weekend’s Open Gardens festival. It has a magnificent view over the valley and at every turn there are sculptures and touches of art.

Among the highlights of Franschhoek Art are the works of one of South Africa’s greatest masters, Jacob Hendrik Pierneef, at the La Motte Museum. Moór Gallery Franschhoek will play host to an exhibition entitled This Place – This Space. The exhibition sets about challenging and charming viewers while dealing with the artists’ responses to our complex country and society.

For something out of the ordinary, appreciate art at its most vulnerable with an evening sculpture walk at Grand Provence. Ebony, with displays of fine arts, sculpture and ceramics, will host no less than five exhibitions in its gallery.

Marié Stander’s fifth solo show opens at Holden Manz Collection on October 29. She is best known for her figurative charcoal drawings. For a detailed programme of the various exhibitions as well as art inspired events visit www. franschhoek.org.za

In addition to Artemis, nine other gardens will open their gates to the public today and tomorrow from 9am till 5pm.

A weekend pass costs R150 and all proceeds raised will be donated to Fleur de Lis, the local home for the aged. There will be live music between 10am and noon at Sandstone House and Cabriere Street which has a park-like garden featuring magnificent old oak trees.

Tea, coffee and scones will be available in the Glass Gazebo at Artemis, but you’ll have to walk through the whole garden to get there. It’s well worth it.

For more information call Barbara on 021 876 4262 or email gardnerjandb@eject.co.za

You Lead, We Follow, Zemba Luzamba, 2016.

In the garden at Artemis.