By Nangamso Mabindla
18 May 2005

SOME of East London's finest works of art are being exhibited at the Ann Bryant Art Gallery in Southernwood.

The East London Fine Art Society exhibition, which opened on Thursday, 12 May at the Coach House, is a forum for established and up-and-coming artists to exhibit their work to the public.

Gallery curator Leon du Preez says, "If you look around we have different types of works; the aim is to encourage people - especially young, disadvantaged artists - to exhibit their art."

All works at the gallery are for sale. "Artists can display their work to sell themselves: members of the society pay R5 to exhibit and non-members pay R5 extra if they want to exhibit. It is not much if you consider that these works of art will be advertised to a wider audience," Du Preez says.

The paintings now on show are some of the best the city has to offer, he adds. Artists like Barry Gibb, Trudy Thomas, Roger Batey and Du Preez himself are exhibiting.

Crafts and graphic design are interesting additions to fine art, which traditionally was restricted to drawing and painting. "It is very interesting because if you look at some of the craft here you see that it is actually fine art - you can use the product in a functional way but you can also display it for its beauty," Du Preez says.

In graphic design, the artist tells a story using photographs or similar images. "These aren't your usual snapshots. Graphic designers tell a story through the images." An interesting example is "Reformation" by Roger Batey, who uses woodcarving in his work.

Seascape by Leon du Preez

Some young, previously disadvantaged artists from Cove Rock, who receive free lessons from artist Margery Bradfield, are included in the exhibition.

"This exhibition is truly representative of East London," Du Preez says. "We are happy to see some of the young and disadvantaged taking opportunities like these."

Next up on the gallery's diary is an exhibition by Roger Batey and Margery Bradfield, which opens on 2 June.