VISUAL ARTS

See also Visual Arts - Page 1
and Visual Arts - Page 3

PRESIDENT'S PORTRAIT



The Art Works Trust invites anyone aged 18 or under on June 14 to enter its 1996 Creative Recycling competition on the theme Portrait of a President.

The Art Works Trust is a non-profit organisation helping youth to deal with the legacy of apartheid by encouraging them to use their creativity and self-expression, developing skills and finding exposure and outlets for their work.

Entries for the Operation Turnaround competition must show a president (any president) and must incorporate waste or found material.

Entries should be accompanied by two short pieces of writing (English or Zulu) about the artist and his or her work.

There's over R5 000 in prizes to be won donated by Argus Community Projects as well as other prizes for best school and individual entries in the various categories.

The best work will be exhibited at the Playhouse in August, thereafter at other local venues before being sent overseas.

For entry forms send a stamped addressed envelope to: Art Works Trust, PO Box 37791, Overport, 4067.

For further information contact co-ordinator Liz Palmer on 23-9440.

NEST PAINTING



Don't forget the oil painting holiday workshop with Erica Attridge to be held at the Nest Hotel in the Drakensberg from June 2 to 7. All inclusive cost is R1 300 pp.

Phone (024) -14.



THE EDGARS



The Anthea Martin Gallery in Westville opens an exhibition on May 3 of the current work of mother and daughter Judy and Sue Edgar.

Judy makes colourful paper collages which will be complemented by her poems. She observes life around her and makes collages of Greek scenes.

Sue is a graphic designer who enjoys making paintings as well as functional and fantasy objects such as jewellery and furniture to which she adds her own zany sense of humour.

The exhibition will be opened by Hannah Lurie.

STILL LIFE COURSE



The NSA offers a new course of Still Life drawing every Thursday during May (18h30 to 21h00) led by Carol Gainer. Classes to be held at Technikon Natal Berea campus at a cost of R70 will include light discussion around the history and presentation of the still life.



AFRICA GALLERY



Featured artist this month at the Africa Gallery in Umhlanga Rocks is John Smith. Born in 1944 in Worcester, John later moved with his parents to Sea Point and then to the Transvaal where he took art as a subject.

His father was a competent watercolourist and pastel painter as were two of his aunts.

In 1969 John changed from watercolours to oils and from figure studies to land-scapes. Artists who have influenced his work are Titta Fasciotti, Errol Boyley and Sir William Russel Flint.

DISCOUNT

Africa Gallery, which is situated in Shop 5 of the Granada Centre, offers Durban Arts members 10% discount on framing (except block mounting).

CLOSURE OF GALLERY



Sad news is that the Soleil Levant Gallery in Westville has closed as new tenants have moved into the premises.

"The gallery has been a most enriching experience," says Gallery owner, Paulette Dubayle Barker, "During 1995 we celebrated several unusual and interesting solo and group exhibitions as well as other cultural events.

"Works were sold to the public, to the Durban Art Gallery, the Tatham Art Gallery in Pietermaritzburg and the Margate Museum.

"Soleil Levant was known for its quality. I hope that it will survive and find its new place, perhaps in a different form."

FRENCH EXHIBITION



The International Art Promotion, one of the most important artists' association in France, presents its first painting exhibition at the Alliance Francaise of Durban from May 3 to 24.

The Promotion represents all styles of art and specialises in the organisation of international exhibitions and is founder and organiser of the Europe Salon and of the Prix Europa which is held every year in Brussels featuring around a thousand works from all over the world.

The exhibition at the Alliance, Art Promotion - France 96 contains 33 works by 16 artists. These include landscapes by Andre Lenain and still-life by Gepe and V. Mille. The Spanish Ball by Pinyol Sarda and The Blue Sail by Y Chatillon are in the figurative style.

There is a J Dumas watercolour and abstracts by M Anton, Bottazzi, Vetabren, Vity Jacob, M Vincent and Derolf.

GEOMETRY

Figurative geometry is how Perico's works can be described while Pierre Boucherle paintings are done in the classic style of the Ecole de Paris as are Le Lien by Verrier and Intercourse between sun and the earth by Danie Moulin.

The Alliance Francaise is located at 22 Sutton Cresent and the exhibition will open at 18h30 on May 3.