Massive arts fest in April

WILDERNESS NEWS - Whether you are an art lover, a proud homeowner with open wall space, a wannabe collector or an established art aficionado, the Evoking Art Festival 2021 in April is an event to diarise.

The festival, set for 24 April at Timberlake Organic Village in Wilderness, will involve an exhibition of up to 75 contemporary artworks by 25 emerging young local artists, as well as poetry readings, live music and an exciting art auction.

The event is the brainchild of Wilderness surfer and painter, Ingrid Nuss, who saw an undeniable opportunity to nurture fresh talent. The established artist describes the Garden Route as a creative hub "bursting with artistic potential".

"I love spotting raw talent," she explains, "and the Evoking festival was born as a stepping-stone to help young artists to break into the contemporary art world."

Nuss curated the exhibition with certain main criteria in mind: she selected young artists with a strong visual aesthetic who display innovation and whose art is moving. She specifically chose to exhibit artists in their 20s and 30s, who have a fresh perspective, because she says these artists are all at that crucial point in their careers "when they are at their most energised, excited, and brave".

Exhibition highlights

The exhibit will host a wide variety of work. Surfer and free-style artist Luke Vieira is inspired by 1980s street/skater pop art and cult icons such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. His artwork is coloured by his broad travel experience, including time spent in South Korea.

Lee Molenaar's art explores the emotional impact of loss, gain and compromise in adjusting to a bewildering modern world. It is an exploration of our roots in modern culture and the scary pace of change.

Children's book illustrator Lauren Sparks produces playful water colour illustrations of quirky characters that could just as easily serve as an unusual nursery gift, or as a funky addition to a child's bedroom.

Others displaying their talents at the festival with poignant emotion are Harveen du Preez, Amy Anstey and Hermuné Pienaar.

Auction highlights (auctioneer Adriaan Barnard)

Young Houghmordeen Jansen, known locally as Holmes, grew up in Sedgefield's Smutsville township and paints portraits of daily scenes from township life. His painting Red Balloon will be on auction.

The mixed media painting of a small child absorbed in the pleasure of play is a raw depiction of the simplicity of his township childhood.

One of Janet Botes' artworks, Reaching, portrays an outstretched hand. It symbolises a personal pursuit of connection and elicits a deep yearning. Ingrid Nuss will auction her painting Imagination Station, which depicts a content tiger reclining on a comfortable bed in an overgrown and empty room.

Ecstatic Bliss by Simon Gower represents a moment of pure joy and crystal clarity. The oil on canvas displays a strong tribal aesthetic in shades of yellow and honey.

Festival details

The festival kicks off at 14:00 on 24 April. The exhibition opening is at 16:00, followed by live music gigs by Khayelitsha-based band Warongx, Cape Town-based Altello and a line-up packed with local musical talent such as Daytura, Electric Spinach, Shaun Galolo and Chris Auret.

Live poetry readings and an auction of select pieces will follow at 17:30. A diverse menu is available at Zucchini's Restaurant. Coffee, cakes and light meals can be enjoyed at Pause Coffee Roastery and kids can enjoy the open-air play areas and jungle gym.

The event is free if you register online. VIP tickets are available too. They include a seat at a VIP table in Zucchini's exclusive area, along with complimentary drinks and canapés, R200 auction credit and a limited-edition Evoking art print by Ingrid Nuss.

More information is available here.

Evoking founder, Ingrid Nuss.