By Nangamso Mabindla
24 January 2005

RENOWED Dutch painter Niek Hiemstra has brought his impressive work to Buffalo City, exhibiting at East London's Ann Bryant Art Gallery.

The exhibition, which started on Thursday, 20 January, runs until Friday, 4 February.

And of particular interest is one piece depicting the tsunami that swept across parts of Asia in December, leaving death and chaos in its wake.

Any funds raised from the sale of the painting will be donated to relief operations in Asia. "We're hoping that someone buys it so that we as East Londoners can lend a helping hand to victims," says gallery curator Leon du Preez.

Hiemstra's other works on show are, according to Du Preez, "some of his very best work in recent years".

The artist, says Du Preez, loves South Africa and gives his all when he depicts it in his paintings.

Using watercolour, oil paint and charcoal, Heimstra's work ranges from portraits to sea and landscapes.

"His portraits are more commercial, and for the seascapes he uses a more popular style of painting," says Du Preez, adding that Hiemstra's oil paintings of the sea are "a bit more expressive".

However, in other work - depicting township life - the Dutch artist's style is more dramatic. "If you look at the one depicting life in South Africa, you see friendly people helping an injured foreigner, whom, I feel, could be representing Hiemstra himself," adds Du Preez

The gallery expects to have another exhibition hosted by Border Technikon in February and is planning one on African culture in the near future.

The Ann Bryant Art Gallery, in St Marks Road, Southernwood, is open from 9.30am to 5pm on Monday to Friday and from 9.30am to noon on Saturdays. Admission is free.

For more information call (043) 722 4044.