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JOHANNES DU PLESSIS, A WIZARD OF FORM AND COLOUR, TO EXHIBIT AT GALLERY88.
27 Oct, 2012 - 27 Nov, 2012
Well-known South African artist, Johannes du Plessis, has been exhibiting locally and abroad since 1982 and will be showcasing his latest exhibition titled Provenance from 27 October to 27 November 2012, at Gallery88 in Paarl.
Born and bred in the Eastern Cape, Du Plessis has been involved in art ever since he was born. After finishing at Piet Retief Technical high school in 1972, du Plessis went on to obtain a HND in Fine Arts: Sculpture and Drawing at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in 1979. Du Plessis has since established himself as a well known painter and sculptor.
With Provenance focusing on landscapes, Du Plessis explains where it all stemmed from: “If I recall my childhood, the Karoo where I grew up with its open spaces, wide vastness and rocky hills had a fundamental and conscious impact on my intuition.” Fortunately, as a South African artist, du Plessis has the privilege of living the experience that nature presents to one and is able to take it in. This being said, one must pay attention to the small trees and rocks which appear everywhere in his work as you can see the discipline and concentration put into it.
Says Du Plessis: “Although I approach my landscapes in a more abstract and fragmented way, it’s still important for me to reproduce recognisable elements and forms. I accentuate some parts that describe the perspective, which depict forms of rocks and trees which fade away in the distance, in closer detail. “
Du Plessis’ work has been described as impulsive, unplanned and spontaneous much like the Expressionism movement. “At first glance, my work appears to be marked out in parts, which is then applied on the canvas in one movement with a presumptuous and bold handling of a flat instrument,” adds Du Plessis.
He adds that with his landscapes depicting the recreation of earth, as a dream world of fantasy in where he wants to find himself, his imagination takes him on a journey. “It’s like a prelude or overture to an opera full of mysteries and intrigues. The final ending is a symphony with a dramatic signature,” says Du Plessis.
Du Plessis has exhibited both locally and overseas in the last 30 years. Exhibitions include a group French painting competition in 1994 and again in 1995 where he was invited again to the competition. He also took part in a two-man exhibition in 1997 in Zurich and in the Netherlands in 2001. In between those, he also took part in a solo exhibition in Zurich in 1999 and again in 2002 in Meerbusch, Germany and SA Group Exhibition, Cork Street, London.
Johannes du Plessis’ upcoming solo exhibition at Gallery88, Paarl, is titled ‘Provenance’. It runs from 27 October to 27 November 2012. More information is available from Gallery88, Paarl, 021 863 3552 or visit www.gallery88.co.za or 084 510 2721.
