“THIS WILL PROBABLY BE MY LAST EXHIBITION. IT’S TIME TO RAISE THE WHITE FLAG FOR PEACE IN THE WORLD...”
THE La Residencia Hotel in Deya has inaugurated a once-in-a-lifetime art exhibition which spans the life of leading artist Nils Burwitz, who has now lived in Valldemossa for nearly 50 years.
Nils, who was born in and grew up in the Baltic port of Swinemünde as the allied bombs dropped, has lived in Valldemossa since 1976 after having qualified in the arts and lived in West Germany, South Africa and the UK.
He is probably best known within the British community for his stained glass windows of the 12 Apostles which were installed in the Anglican Church in 1991.
And since branching out into the field of stained glass windows, his work can also been admired not only across Mallorca but across the world.
However, in Mallorca, his work can be admired in Santa Eulalia, the oldest church in the Balearics; the rose window in the Basilica in the Sanctuary of Lluc; the Hermitage of the Holy Trinity, Valldemossa; in Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Algaida; in the Consolat de Mar, the Balearic government headquarters; in the Ergoline Training Centre in Windhagen, Siebengebirge, Germany; in East Worldham, England; in the Royal Carthusian Monastery of Valldemossa; and the monastery of Cura in Randa.
Victoria and Albert Museum
He installed the glass cupola, ‘Ars Brevis', in the Castillo Hotel Son Vida in 2006, the ‘Ten Commandments' in Son Ferriol, and the window ‘La Misericordia‘ in Palma Cathedral.
What is more, the collection of his work at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London is the largest of any living artist in the world.
However, Nils, who is still painting while battling Parkinson's, claims that this latest exhibition will be his last.
Apart from his art, he is now writing a great deal and his primary concern is his family. And it is because of his concern for his family's well-being that he left or fled South Africa.
Nils was always a champion for the antiapartheid movement. He knew and painted a number of portraits of Nelson Mandela, but eventually began to fear for the safety of himself and his family, hence why he ended up in the safety of Mallorca.
But his love for South Africa has never waned, nor has his desire for peace in the world. Holding back the tears he told me this week that “it's time to raise the while flag for peace” in reference to all the destruction and tension around the world.
Critical
Much of his art, never mind his writing, is observational and critical at times, hence the situation he eventually found himself in South Africa, but he has never been silenced and never will be.
And the new exhibition is one not to be missed.
“This may well be my last exhibition,” he says.
“What can you say about these pictures, shown in public for the first time about highlights from a life of over 80 years?
“From the first moment of birth to the the ‘first light' of the opening of the eye of an observatory with a view into space via
“I am confident that the magic of the motifs and my interpretations will be enhanced by the magic of the Sa Tafona gallery.”
the incidence of light through a church wall that was breached for the first time to install an antique glass window in honour of Blessed Ramon Llull.
“Ramon Llull for the first time!
“The donation of blood is commemorated by the depiction of a phoenix bird as it symbolically rises from the embers of the ashes (up to three lives can be saved by one donation).
“This is how wishful thinking comes together: More light! More love! Save our beaches!
“My last will and testament cannot be repeated often enough,” he says.
Breathtaking
At this breathtaking exhibition you will meet divers, mountaineers, pilots and contemporary portraits along with a presentation of the luxury edition of Marina's Terraces (100 texts + 100 watercolours), in memory, honour and tribute to his late wife who sadly passed away just before the Covid pandemic.
“The paintings included texts, letters I used to write to my wife before the paint would dry, it's a unique collection and publication,” Nils explained.
“It's me talking to my wife,” he added.
There are also three large watercolours: the brand new triptych of the Isla de Formentor and various versions of the island of Dragonera.
Nobel winners
“I am confident that the magic of the motifs and my interpretations will be enhanced by the magic of the gallery Sa Tafona gallery,” he adds. As a portrait artist, numerous Nobel Prize winners have sat for Nils.
Nadine Gordimer, Nobel Prize Laureate for Literature 1991 said of Nils: “Nils Burwitz has a seer's vision of the human form. His authority of line goes deeper than the flesh.
“More than the faces of Africa emerges in his work; the essence, personality and
spirit of whichever part of the continent he has lived and worked in. There is the beauty of truth in his vibrant talent.”
The exhibition will be open until the April 22 from Monday to Sunday 11am to 9pm.
I “This is how wishful thinking comes together: More light! More love! Save our beaches! “My last will and testament cannot be repeated often enough.”