Greater Kruger Art Association brings colour and life to Casterbridge
WHITE RIVER - The Greater Kruger Art Association (GKAA) has survived two very slow years.
Business is picking up again at the monthly Casterbridge open-air exhibitions and art classes, however.
On Saturday, inclement weather kept most of its regular exhibitors at bay, but five intrepid artists still made it out before the rain came down.
The GKAA’s convenor and organiser, Hannes Scholtz, said, “The association started only five years ago and we now have 70 members. There is definitely renewed interest in the Casterbridge exhibitions and the workshops and classes we run at the Ambience Inn.”
Among the regular artists at Casterbridge is Olivier van Bruindes, fondly known as "Oom van Gogh". Van Bruindes paints in the same style as Vincent van Gogh, using palette knives to apply thick layers of oil paint.
He arrived in South Africa from Belgium 54 years ago and moved to the Lowveld in 2007.
“There is no better place to be,” he said. Van Bruindes is also a sailor and a global traveller who has worked in 36 different countries.
Another artist to look out for is Zareth Geyser, who paints beautifully colourful, naïve works with interesting perspectives. Originally from Roodepoort, Geyser moved to the Lowveld and became a professional artist in 2012.
“Mums tend to love my art for their kids’ bedrooms. Art adds colour to life,” she said.
Other artists at the Saturday exhibition were Charmaine Adendorf and the Lowveld’s best-known art teacher, Estelle Hartley, who complimented Scholz for inspiring many artists to start working in oils.
Scholtz said, “Casterbridge’s owner, Louis van der Merwe, allows the GKAA to exhibit for free, otherwise many of our local artists would not be able to afford it. We’re exceedingly grateful to him for supporting local artists in this way.
“Covid gave a lot of people the opportunity to discover their artistic side, and we had quite a few new artists joining our association. We’ve been through some dark and difficult times, but what better way to brighten up our homes and moods than to add some new artwork to our walls at Christmas time?” he said.
He advised aspiring artists to do what they love in art, then they will create a good picture.
The GKAA is affiliated to the South African National Association of Visual Arts, which is affiliated to the International Art Association.
“This mean that all our members are automatically affiliated to these bodies that can offer good opportunities for our local artists,” said Scholtz.
Scholtz is currently exhibiting in Pretoria with Dion Bowen’s Epic Arts Universe. Some of his paintings have been auctioned for rhino conservation and rehabilitation after poaching incidents.
The next GKAA exhibition at Casterbridge will be held on December 17.
For enquiries, call Scholtz on 082 821 5060.