NIEU-BETHESDA NEWS — This year Nieu-Bethesda has three artists with links to the village represented at the Festival of the Arts in Grahamstown.
Permanent residents Martin and Charmaine Haines have exhibited their ceramic work at the festival for 23 years. Their work is once again on show at the Carinus Art Centre. Charmaine’s works exemplify an explosion of colour – and all relate to the riches of heart, art and earth. Rich in symbolism, her iconic portraits, dotted with birds and Karoo imagery, Charmaine’s contemporary works are well loved by art collectors world-wide.
For Martin Haines, 2016 is the “Year of the Miaow-Miaow”. Following the success of his “Hare” series, Martin has created a collection of cats – all differently decorated with quirky expressions to boot! Eclectically inspired, the Miaow-Miaow’s are a feast for the eye. Following in her parents’ footsteps, their daughter, Emma, currently studying graphics at Stellenbosch, designed the beautiful poster for Martin’s exhibition – the Haines’ are truly a family of creatives!
Although currently residing in PE, Raymond Westdraadt also has firm roots in Nieu-Bethesda where he lived for a time and started his painting career. His exhibition hanging at the Barracks, is entitled “Anthropology of Tractors”. Inspired by the current food crisis that South Africa experiencing -the drought, the financial plight of the farmer and the danger of modified foods – the tractors that Westdraadt has committed to canvas are reflective of a much simpler, forgotten, difficult time. These ancient workhorses have been discarded for an easier way out. Anthropology is the study of man and his surroundings – “Ironic”, says Westdraadt, “in that these beautiful machines, devoid of any humanity, will outlast our species if we continue to destroy that which we have, leaving one with a sense of loneliness and starkness.”
All three of these artists create works that are inspired by living in this small corner of South Africa. Nieu-Bethesda is proud to be associated with artists of such calibre.
An Anthromorphic tractor by Raymond Westdraadt.
