Promise of Rain now a celebration of rain

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The opening of the Promise of Rain art exhibition at Drostdy Hotel's Imibala Gallery in Graaff-Reinet's saw a diverse collection of fine art displayed.

The exhibition was officially opened on the evening 14 February, with Bretten-Anne Moolman's work as one of the main attractions.

Other artists' work on display include Duncan Stewart, Nilene Maitland-Makgill-Crichton, Bianca Whitehead, Hein Botha, Jac Grobbelaar, Joanne Reen, Janet Dixon, Curt Martheze, Janet Kingwill and many more.

In her welcoming speech, gallery manager Kim von Behr Imrie said the idea of a rain-themed exhibition was wholeheartedly welcomed when she first tested it. According to her, she got the concept last year when the town was in the midst of a terrible drought. "It was like a pleading," she said.

"By the time I started asking artists for work, the rain had started coming. It felt a bit odd to have a Promise of Rain exhibition at the time," Von Behr Imrie said. However, the experience was still very clear and raw in everyone's minds. The exhibition has now become a 'celebration of rain, coincidentally the name of the key artwork on the back display walls, by Moolman.

Three of Bretten-Anne Moolman's artwork on display.

On the evening, Von Behr Imrie also honoured God, saying she saw the rain as providence from Him and quoted one of the many scriptures that exist around rain and His kindness.

Moolman told the guests, that as a fine artist, the challenge has always been to create a work that is true to her perceptions, may it be a thing of beauty or a message about human interaction or intrusion in the landscape.

Hein Botha, having spent a career in the broader visual realm, said: "At this stage of my career, I am exploring the perception of time via geological phenomena, san stories, and rock art and emersion into the ancient spirit of the Karoo."

The Water Table, made by Jac Grobbelaar, out of wood, steel and copper.

Von Behr Imrie is exploring a similarly-themed exhibition for the Imibala Gallery, which has at its heart the interests of the community and its environment at its core.

Local farmers Will and Nilene Maitland- Makgill-Crichton, with assistance from Blue Sky, put together video clips and images set to appropriate music. This is available to any groups and events that may wish to run it as background at an Imibala or Drostdy tour or function.