Not so long ago I asked a collector and friend of mine if he doesn’t have any vintage photos I can borrow. He did not but later he reported that he spoke to his mother in law, and that is how we ended up to travel Montagu. To meet Mrs Biesenbach.
After a warm welcome, tea and milk tart, she showed me a collection of vintage photographs and then she took us to the the KWV Building in Montagu:
This building houses oom Gollie’s se fiets (uncle Gollie’s bike)
There is also a small movie house amongst other things in this building as well as a permanent exhibition of works by renowned artist Willie Bester.
I can really recommend a trip to this building whenever you pass through Montagu.
Last but not least…on our way back home I visited a lovely second-hand bookshop in Swellendam and couldn’t resist purchasing this book even though it was empty inside.
I am curious if this was a catalogue for one of David Goldblatt’s exhibitions or an April Fools Joke. If you know something about it please let me know.
“Before the year was over a great joy was announced.” Work in progress shot
“I was working real hard
To show the world what I could do
Oh I guessed I never dreamed
I’d have to
World spins some photographs
How I love to laugh when the crowd laughs
While love slips through
A theatre that is full
But oh baby when the crowd goes home
and I turn in and realize I’m alone
I can’t believe I had to sacrifice you”
from the book: Just Kids by Patti Smith which I’m currently re-reading and this quote really resonates with me at the moment, and made me want to share it with you.
On page 166 Patti writes that she wrote this for Janis Joplin.
book cover
While I am writing to you about it, I found this cool video too:
Can one work too hard when the work is a part of you?
I took a break for two weeks where I did not go to the studio, since other aspects of studio life needed some attention too, eg: daily and emotional life, admin and research.
The research part I’m starting to really enjoy right now.
Current interests include Family life – Family matters – Family ties – Family Businesses 😉 Family secrets and especially
Family Meetings:
Family meeting – work in progress (detail)
Also what does it mean to be a family in this day and age? I am also interested in how fairy tales can be adapted and serve as a tool in family therapy.
So yes, I am continuing further research into fairy tales (a lifelong passion). Fairy tales this time, is also leading me to woodcuts and witches, Hortis Sanitatis and the Dance of Death by Hans Holbein. Sounds random, but I hope to connect all the dots for my upcoming solo at MContemporary gallery next year.
In the meantime,- Let’s celebrate New Beginnings!
You are invited to the opening this coming Sunday:
And last but not least…my work “School of thought” is in good company for the sake of education at Paul Roos Gymnasium in their “See and be seen Art Exhibition and auction:
School of thought 41 x 33 cm paper, cotton thread and rubber (Photographer Kleinjan Groenewald)
BIDDING The auction lots are split across two bidding platforms. Strauss & Co live auction event The live auction event will take place on 20 October at 17:30. For telephone and absentee bids contact bina@straussart.co.za. BidPro online auction Online bidding now open until 13:00 on 30 October 2021. Steps to follow Go to: http://www.bidpro.co.za & http://www.bidpro.co.za/AuctionDetails/218 Click on Sign In, choose option “Signup” in Blue. Fill all relevant details in as per the screen request. You will receive an email, please confirm. When user is confirmed please login . Click on Auctions or choose Fundraising. See and Be Seen Auction will display. Click on Register to take part in the Paul Roos Gymnasium Auction. You can now browse through all 127 lots and start bidding.
We visited my Mother-in-law in celebration of her birthday this past weekend- and here she is with her grandchildren:
At her birthday party one of her friends Tienie Potgieter asked me about my art and current intrests. I told her about my recent work and then she offered me a box full of vintage photographs including Cabinet cards!!
CABINET CARDS: A style of photograph first introduced in 1863 by Windsor & Bridge in London, the cabinet card is a photographic print mounted on card stock. The Cabinet card got its name from its suitability for display in parlors — especially in cabinets — and was a popular medium for family portraits.
So while I am in the process of working through each and every one….finding inspiration, I am also scanning them to create a virtual file- and while I’m at it , I thought I will share a couple with you!
“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” – Dr. Howard Thurman
I don’t know about you, but the more the real world freaks me out, the more I escape to a fantasy one, equipped with fantasy characters of my own making. So at the end of 2020 I started working on a series of altered photos once again. I say once again because I’ve been altering vintage photos since 2014 – for example:
Title: It’s contagious Medium: Vintage photograph, cotton thread and rubber 59 x 44 cm 2014/2015
So while I was waiting for the big reprints of vintage photos which I am currently working with (looking forward to share that journey with you soon). I also did smaller ones, some inspired by my mother-in-law whom we visited in December. I took a walk down in memory lane with her one evening going through a drawer full of photos. Some of the photographs were slightly damaged which she gifted to me, for example the one below.
I am happy to announce that this series found a home in Phoenix Arizona and will hopefully reach their destination soon with the help of Jetlog Logistics.
In other news: our eldest son is turning 13 on the 23rd of January. I asked him how does it feel to be a teenager. He said it feels okay except for some “symptoms” he is currently experiencing 😉
What a joy to be the mother of this child o’ mine.
Etienne photographed by Kleinjan Groenewald
Where do we go? Where do we go now? Where do we go? Ooh, oh, where do we go? Where do we go now? Oh, where do we go now? Where do we go? (Sweet child) Where do we go now? Ay, ay, ay, ay, ay, ay, ay, ay Where do we go now? Ah, ah
Last but not least….The group exhibition: “No holds barred” at RK Contemporary gallery is coming to an end on the 31st of January. Feel free to check it out if you get a chance.
hannalie taute 