GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Pierneef prints are still on display and up for sale at the Homage to Pierneef project exhibition by Unknown Artist, Rose sê Luvey, in Somerset Street in Graaff-Reinet until 18 January.
Exhibitor Ignatius Claassen says Pierneef's printmaking played an important role in the development of his painting style and, especially his woodcuts and linocuts, constitutes an important chapter in the history of printmaking in South Africa.
After Pierneef died, relief printing was carried forward by artists such as Azaria Mbatha, John Muafangejo and Cecil Skotnes.
Father of relief printing
Through his printmaking Pierneef contributed to the awareness of the potential of woodcut and linocut in South Africa and is often described as the local father of relief printing.
Accessible to artists with few resources, it has been important for its social role, a means of livelihood and as resistant art by both black and white artists during the struggle.
Today printmaking remains a vehicle of social commentary during post-apartheid transformation, affording insights into the very fabric of South African life. (Printmaking: In a Transforming South Africa - Philippa Hobbs, Elizabeth Rankin, published by D. Philip, 1997)
In high demand
Claassen says while Pierneef's linocuts regularly become available on the secondary market, demand continues to outstrip supply. With the introduction of internet bidding, prices of Pierneef's iconic linocuts sky-rocketed.
If you are a South African living in London or New York and you want one artwork on your wall that reminds you of home, a Pierneef linocut will be pretty high on most wish lists. And earning dollars many of these expats can afford a Pierneef linocut.
The record price of R438 995 for a Pierneef linocut was set at a Strauss & Co auction on 25 July 2023. The previous record was set on 26 July 2021 when a Pierneef linocut sold for R432 440.
More accessible
He says the first aim of the project is to make Pierneef's linocut compositions accessible to a broader collector base by making them more affordable.
The second aim is to pay tribute to the critical role that Pierneef played in the establishment of the linocut technique as a respected and widely-embraced medium in South African art.
Since several artists contribute on an ad hoc basis to the project and Pierneef remains the original creator of the designs, it was decided to market the works under the name of an unknown artist, Rose sê Luvey. [With the greatest respect to the song La vie en Rose by Edit Piaf. Ed.]
For more information contact Ignatius Claassen on 083 557 7156.
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