OCTOBER ART WRAP

Artistic welcome to summer

By Tabisa Mntengwana
7 October 2009

A VARIETY of local and international artists are exhibiting works at the Ann Bryant Art Gallery in East London this month.

Starting at the Coach House, the gallery hosts various permanent exhibitions of a wide range of paintings owned by the City. The 350 works are rotated at any time and are put on display after temporary exhibitions.

On Thursday, 8 October at 6pm, there will be an exhibition and auction, called Honey for the Soul. The event is in aid of 12-year-old cancer sufferer Liza-Mari Geelhuizen, who needs international treatment.

There will be American artworks on display and on auction, and the gallery advises people to bring along their wallets to take part in the fun.

Next up is the Ecological Reciprocus exhibition, which looks at the worldwide ecological crisis.

According to a press release from the gallery, the objective of the exhibition is to establish the notion that art can create and communicate an awareness of the interconnectedness between people and nature.

Works in this exhibition investigate humanity's relationship with the world. "They are a personal response to the theoretical, environmental and spiritual issues explored," reads the statement.

Included are etchings and digital images that work as visual metaphors that speak of the interconnectedness between individuals and the environment. Ecological Reciprocus is on Friday, 16 October.

The gallery is also encouraging young and old to enter the annual East London Fine Art Society Exhibition which is open to any art form. Exhibitors are encouraged to submit a maximum of six works at a cost of R10 each for non-members and R5 each for members.

"The gallery will be a wonderful place to visit during the festive season if it is filled with great artworks from local artists," according to the gallery.

Entries must be submitted by 23 November; entry forms are available at the gallery.

And every second Tuesday, starting on 6 October, there is an outdoor and indoor sketching and painting extravaganza, at which local artists gather under one roof to share ideas, paint and sketch. Afterwards, the works will be displayed at the gallery.

The Ann Bryant Art Gallery is at 9 St Mark's Road in Southernwood. It is open on Mondays to Fridays, from 9am to 5pm; and on Saturdays and public holidays, from 9am to 12 noon.

It is closed on Good Friday, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Freedom Day, Workers' Day and Youth Day. For more information, telephone the gallery on 043 722 4044, or send an email to annbryant@intekom.co.za.