The Visual Arts Festival

A visual arts exhibition runs for the duration of the festival at Rust & Vrede Cultural Centre in Durbanville and at the St Georges's Cathedral in the city of Cape Town


The Visual Arts Festival - two exhibitions of the works of established artists - Ronald Harrison - whose Black Christ and Albert Luthuli Series will be showcased at St Georges's Cathedral, in the city, from March 6 to 24 and Tretchikoff, whose exhibition runs at Rust & Vrede in Durbanville from March 14 to 24. Free to public.

The Black Christ Foundation and the Spirit of Albert Luthuli Collection at St Georges's Cathedral
The historically controversial painting by Ronald Harrison called the Black Christ is displayed together with a series of eight other paintings depicting the Spirit of Albert Luthuli. The Black Christ depicts former African National Congress leader Chief Albert Luthuli being crucified by former Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd and his Justice Minister John Vorster.

Painted in 1961 it was viewed as blasphemous and subversive by the Apartheid Government who tried to have it destroyed. Anti-apartheid activists managed to smuggle it out of the country where it toured Europe and the UK to raise millions for the victims of apartheid.

In the wake of the painting leaving the country, Ronald Harrison was arrested by the South African authorities and repeatedly tortured and interrogated. This important work documenting a dark time in our social and political history was returned to South Africa in 1997 where it is stored in the National Gallery.

Surrounding the Black Christ is a series of eight other paintings by Harrison depicting the spirit of Albert Luthuli. These eight works articulate the legacy of Albert Luthuli that irrespective of the darkness of our past and the turmoil of the present, hope always springs eternal.

Tretchikoff Exhibition at Rust & Vrede in Durbanville
The artwork of well-known Russian-born artist, Vladimir Gregoroevich Tretchikoff, will go on exhibition at the gallery at Rust & Vrede between March 14 and 24.

Vladimir Tretchikoff (1913-2006) was a self-taught artist who painted realistic figures, portraits, still life and animals, with subjects often inspired by his early life in China and Malaysia, and later life in South Africa. Tretchikoff's work was immensely popular with the general public.

It is estimated that at least half a million prints of the 1952 painting titled Chinese Girl has been sold worldwide, making it one of the bestselling prints of all time. Regardless of his incredible popularity worldwide Tretchikoff was dismissed by art experts. Lately, however, his work has enjoyed a revival among fans of realism as well as the emerging retro-art market.

It is easy to discount any artist's work, but few artworks can define an era more vividly than the Dying Swan or Lost Orchid. In his lifetime more than two million people viewed his exhibitions worldwide. With this exhibition viewers can again see the colour saturated canvasses that Tretchikoff called symbolic realism.

This exhibition comprises of original paintings and objects from his studio. A wide selection of prints will be for sale.

The Visual Arts Festival
Where:
Rust & Vrede Cultural Centre in Durbanville and at the St Georges's Cathedral in Cape Town
When: Ronald Harrison 4 - 24 March 2007; Tretchikoff 14 - 24 March
More Info:
Contact Gert du Preez on 021 465 9047 or 082 787 1707 or Neliswa at the Cape Town Festival offices on 021-465 9042


Molo says: "Read about the rest of the highlights of the Cape Town Festival 2007 including the In Touch Community Festivals and The Hip Hop Festival, amongst others.

"Cape Town loves to celebrate; read more about other festivities going on in this vibrant city throughout the year and subscribe to our informative newsletter to keep up with news, reviews and unique things to do in and around the Western Cape."

Find all information on the 2008 Cape Town Festival Events.


Cape Town Events Calendar
 
March 2007
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Tulbagh Tulbagh Christmas in Winter

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Ultimate work-play-and-stay hub, Trail’s End

ceder5Accommodation special at Cederkloof ...

Book for 4, pay for 2. There’s hot tubs, hiking trails, pools…

mischuWeekends are for mischu

You can get breakfast and coffee with the R99 brunch special

Cafe Extrablatt 2024All-you-can-eat breakfast buffet every ...

Bottomless buffet with a laidback shisha lounge & bar upstairs

Mountain MarketAffordable healthy food at this city ...

Organic fruit and veg, smoothie bowls + small-scale clothes

wb6Live music & craft beer at Woodstock ...

Springbok Nude Girls and Arno Carstens play here. Plus the beer rocks

Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa August 2024This boutique 5-star hotel offers ...

The signature Palm Journey includes a 3-course lunch

Tulbagh Tulbagh Christmas in Winter

Christmas lights, glühwein, wine tasting & kids zone

CT Carnival 25 1Cape Town’s biggest parade (and ...

1 000+ performers, Stormers, opulent floats & an afterparty

Pear TreeThe hidden seaside bistro on the ...

Sushi calamari, miso sirloin & rice krispies milkshakes

Trail's End Bike HotelTeam building, stylish conferencing & ...

Ultimate work-play-and-stay hub, Trail’s End

ceder5Accommodation special at Cederkloof ...

Book for 4, pay for 2. There’s hot tubs, hiking trails, pools…

mischuWeekends are for mischu

You can get breakfast and coffee with the R99 brunch special

extrablatt14This Sunday brunch could be your new ...

At this bottomless brunch buffet, kids eat for half price

wb6Live music & craft beer at Woodstock ...

Springbok Nude Girls and Arno Carstens play here. Plus the beer rocks

S8Spier Wine Farm in Stellenbosch

It’s over 300 years old and always full of surprises

SS 4Cape Town first: The Street Store

Next pop-up is 12 April. See where to donate until 31 March

MR 4Mont Reve: Every city would love it, ...

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Milk on the Beach 2024The best-kept seaside secret, just off ...

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KLM EDITED 1KLM direct flights from Cape Town to ...

Show us your active and win 2 Amsterdam flights, luxe safari stay & more

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6 immersive themes, one being the best in Africa

Two Oceans Aquarium clean up Free beach clean-ups with the Two ...

It happens every single month. See upcoming dates

F6If Ficks isn’t on your bucket list ...

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