Latest news with #TheBlueHouse
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Meet the artist who turned water into a metaphor for life
Cape Town-based artist Adele van Heerden recently showcased her mesmerising work at The Blue House in Parkwood, part of the David Krut Projects. Her beautiful blend of memory, water, and emotion offers a window into her soul, as well as a journey that began in childhood, nurtured by a family who recognised her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in fine arts. Her education was a holistic blend of technical discipline, academic rigour, and curatorship. Read more: Artist celebrates women with Nespresso coffee capsules A pivotal turning point in her career was a personal connection to water. What started as a necessity for rehabilitation evolved into a deep fascination. The waterscapes she explored became a powerful metaphor for her inner world and a period of intense personal transformation. The act of swimming allowed her to explore concepts of fluidity, healing, and change, visually articulating the feeling of being in water and its ability to shift and nurture. Van Heerden's art often explores dualities and unresolved questions, transforming external waterscapes into moments of personal exploration. She reconsiders the line between the external and internal worlds, emphasising sensation over representation. Her unique reverse-painting technique is a crucial part of this process. She begins with a photograph, then uses pastel on translucent drafting film, adding gouache and acrylic to the reverse side, and, finally, accents of aerosol to accentuate light and tonalities. This method beautifully layers her captured memories with a rich internal landscape. Residencies in Paris, Germany, and Johannesburg, which she considers vital for self-exploration and creative inquiry, have enriched her journey. During these periods, she has been able to slow down, digitally detox, and re-evaluate personal narratives. Her time in Germany, for instance, sparked a deep fascination with limnology, the study of lakes, and a desire to connect with the local history and people. Van Heerden's work is a testament to the power of art to articulate the unseen and the unspoken. Rooted in personal experience and meticulously researched narratives, her paintings offer glimpses into her inner world, inviting viewers to reflect on their own. Her journey is a beautiful, flowing narrative of discovery, from a young girl sketching in her room to a celebrated artist exploring the depths of water, memory, and identity. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
Straits Times
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
South Korea summons Japan's defence attach in protest over island claims
Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: A set of remote islands called Dokdo in Korean and Takeshima in Japanese is seen in this picture, east of Seoul August 10, 2012. REUTERS/The Blue House/Handout/File Photo SEOUL - South Korea's defence ministry summoned Japan's defence attache on Tuesday to protest over an annual white paper published by Tokyo, which made a territorial claim over disputed islands located in the East Sea. Both sides claim longstanding territorial rights over the islands, which are known as Dokdo in Korean and Takeshima in Japanese, and lie roughly halfway between the two countries. South Korea's Defence Ministry said in a statement its international affairs chief Lee Kwang-seok had summoned the Japanese defence attache to Korea in protest. Lee demanded the immediate removal of Japan's territorial claims from the paper and added that the government will "sternly respond to any attempts to harm sovereignty over the Dokdo islands". Tokyo has claimed the islands as its own territory in its annual defence white paper for decades, prompting protests from Seoul. The islands are currently controlled by Seoul with a small contingent of coast guards. REUTERS
The Citizen
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Strauss & Co's May auction showcases iconic South African modernist artworks
Johannesburg's art scene is gearing up for a major event this May as Strauss & Co, Africa's leading auction house, prepares to present a stunning collection of South African masterpieces in its flagship live sale on May 27. Locals will have the rare chance to see important works by homegrown legends, all set to go under the hammer in what promises to be a landmark auction for the city. Read more: Art exhibition To See Them Home is currently exhibiting at The Blue House At a special media briefing and walkabout on May 14, Strauss & Co revealed the exceptional quality and historical significance of the pieces up for sale, highlighting how the event fits within the broader international modern art calendar. Among the highlights are paintings by three of South Africa's most celebrated 20th-century artists, Gerard Sekoto, Irma Stern, and Vladimir Tretchikoff. These masters continue to command critical acclaim and attract growing international interest, underscoring Johannesburg's vital role in the global art market. One local favourite, which will catch the eye, is Jakob Hendrik Oerder's evocative Lake View, Braamfontein Farm (Zoo Lake), painted in 1898. This tranquil landscape captures a scene near the heart of Johannesburg, before it was transformed into Hermann Eckstein Park, a space that remains cherished by residents today. Also read: South African female artists contribution celebrated Strauss & Co will also showcase works by George Pemba, a contemporary of Sekoto, who is fast gaining prominence, as well as important pieces by Dumile Feni, and the internationally renowned William Kentridge, whose sculptures and drawings continue to draw crowds worldwide. The auction items will be on display at the RMB Latitudes Art Fair in Shepstone Gardens from May 23 to 25, giving locals and collectors alike a chance to view these treasures before the live sale at Strauss & Co's Houghton salesroom. With Johannesburg firmly established as a cultural hub, this auction marks a proud moment for the city – a celebration of South Africa's artistic heritage and a beacon for collectors and art lovers. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Calling all artists with expressions unbound At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
