Hannalie Taute- Cross my Heart

Heidi's Erdmann gallery in Kloof street is currently home to Hannalie Taute's original exhibition- Cross my Heart.

Embroidery pigs are flying, stitched on rubber patchwork, there are dolls with tales to tell, a punching bag that dares you- the last picture is a 6 piece installation entitled 'She's a wreck'

'who needs courage' 'Mandrakes pollinating'

'I'll cross my heart when....'

'Dress is power ' 'Hare today- gone tomorrow' 'Nike of another race'

'She's a wreck'

We absolutely loved the exhibition, so many interesting pieces, an incredible amount of work and time must have gone into them.

The art teacher was brave enough to pin a needle in the artist's heart - Hannelie wore a rubber dress with a padded heart and offered pretty needles- the art teacher missed the 'sweet spot'..I think that was good?

Refreshing 'Once upon a time' cocktails inspired by the artworks were offered around and downstairs in Blah Blah Bar the Sharena Sol Orchestra played the most captivating Balkan, gypsy, jazz sounding music.

Sharena Sol orchestra

Did I mention we also ate the most scrumptious pizza? Promise to share next blog...

Drive- by Llandudno

Sneaking back- like summer should

I'm trying to sneak back- just like I wish summer could,

It's been wet, windy and bloody cold for Cape Town.

The trees are long bare and the flat lands are flooded.

We still walk the vineyard- very fast.

 You see that clear sky below? Well, don't be fooled - to the right, just out of sight, 

is the biggest, baddest Nimbus.... heavy and threatening.

He's biding his time till we're half way, with no where to run but home-

at least someone is having fun!

Themba Shibase- Erdmann Contemporary

Themba Shibase's exhibition - Paint, Masculinity, Power & Violence opened at Heidi's gallery Erdmann Contemporary last night.

Themba's work explores the link between masculinity, patriarchy, power and violence as a recipe for a violent and oppressive society-  and how they occur not only in the context of state, but in other domains as well.

Catch it- on until 23 March

artist Themba Shibase

Drive by- drive home

Johann Louw at SMAC

Johann Louw's latest works are on show at SMAC gallery Cape Town- Terugkoms van Cythera.

Large paintings on plywood and a few charcoal on paper.

 For me the feeling was sombre, an undercurrent of mortality, the figures intrude - all make his paintings interesting.

The art teacher loved the two smaller portraits below.

On until 23 March- definitely worth a visit

drive by- drive home

Faces of Woodstock- Mark Hilltout

On Wednesday evening we blew into Alex Hamilton's beautiful studio to view Mark Hilltout's exhibition- Faces of Woodstock, Salt River and Observatory.

An impressive 14 km of pen and ink drawings- we had fun spotting our favourite landmarks like the Bijou, as well as being surprised by how many charming facades I've never noticed.

Definitely worth a viewing - loved the corrugated frames made by the artist.

Whilst you're there, don't forget to peek around the corner and drool over an enviable collection of antique wall vases.

Artist Mark Hilltout giving his lovely speech

 

A peek down a few Woodstock side streets on the way home.

Michaelis graduate show 2012

Michaelis prize winner Miranda Moss's mesmerizing installations from "Ephemerology'- experiments capturing ephemeral phenomena, like this clever whirlpool in a bottle.

 Trevor Potter's ' Animal Testing', two steampunk- like sculptures blew me away.

 Leigh Bassingthwaighte's Vantage Point -engaging, voyeuristic photographs looking into apartment windows, unfortunately no pictures to show you, as the photographs were displayed down the dark back staircase of Hiddingh Hall.

Some highlights below, including Emma Dee Padoa and Elinor Auerbach's work.

If  you missed opening night - and you really shouldn't- the exhibition is definitely worth viewing, open until 19th Dec 11 am - 4 pm.

drive by - drive home

Dave's in town- and better than ever

It's no secret how much we love Lonesome Dave Ferguson's sound, he's home for some gigs- fresh from international fame and hopefully a bit of fortune.

It's been a cruel year, invites to gigs at London pubs with cool names like- Filthy Macnasty's.

He's been home for November and we finally caught up with him at his old Friday haunt- the Granddaddy Hotel Rooftop Trailerpark-  it all seems to come together perfectly there, surrounded by the silver airstreams with the sun setting on Cape Town.

What we didn't expect was the new improved Lonesome Dave.... impossible you say and we thought, but here is a stronger, more confident, chatty, kick-ass Dave with some great new songs- what a treat!

I read that Counting Crows, offered him cash bucks to extend his set-  see what I mean?

Catch him while you still can,  he's playing at  The Table Mountain Blues Summit just after our legendary buddy Piet Botha and the Lyzyrd Kyngs and rumour has it he's playing new year's eve at the very fabulous Barrydale Hotel.

drive by- drive home

Scenic route to Town

Leaving our daughter in Noordhoek, we took the scenic route to an exhibition in Town- Chapman's Peak drive,  narrow, winding roads clinging to the mountainside. Sometimes sturdy stone ledges, built in another lifetime to protect us from sheer cliffs and the turbulent sea.

Sneaking peeks downward, I imagine there must be secret coves, known only by the sea.

We were on our way to the very lovely A's first group exhibition at CTSP, where she has been honing her photographic skills.

An excited buzz everywhere, so many full time and part time students with their friends eager to see their work, a band playing in a corner by the bar, brave bartenders withstand the onslaught.

Large expensive new cameras around every neck...... I thought it wise to take the art teacher home.

drive by- drive home