Although she is rather matter of fact about the exhibition, it was a mammoth operation because of the sheer scale of her work. This internationally renowned artist, made her mark in 1985 by producing what must have been one of the largest wall hangings in South Africa. To this day it graces the walls of the Pretoria State Theatre, entitled Prelude, measuring 27 x 3 metres.
Never one to do anything on a small scale, she engaged an events coordinator, and the Stefan Welz company to assist her with the marketing of her Cape Town exhibition. Her Cape Town friends and invited guests attended the opening and in days to follow, there was a steady stream of art lovers to whom she gave a walkabout tour of her exhibition.
During a visit on Wednesday, we drink tea at the massive wooden dining room table created by her late husband Bossie (who created most of the furniture in their home), and reflect on her creative career spanning 45 years, while glancing through expansive windows at the beach down below.
Regretfully she does not walk much on the beach as the wooden steps down from her property are steep and smooth, and at the age of 78 she cannot risk a fall. She does occasionally amble down to Salinas Restaurant though for a drink and a bite to eat, it being a stone's throw away from where she lives at The Dunes in Wilderness.
Glossy magazines featuring her home with its wall-to-wall hangings have described it as a retro 1970's home, but it is more of a timeless contemporary home which takes full advantage of the views on the Wilderness beach.
Beatrix is still consumed with passion for her work, and has always had an overwhelming sense of urgency to carry on with her life's obsession, especially as the crocodile, elephant and ostrich hides that she has collected over the years have to be processed in oder to be worth anything. "I have now used up the last elephant hides," she smiles wryly whilst feeding Lotto the cat sweet melon, which it dearly loves.
The unsold works of the "My World My Life" exhibition, grace the walls of her home which has always been a studio cum reception area for art lovers. Her art work is so strikingly bold in colour that one struggles to take it all in. A work which resembles a Samurai warrior harness demands attention. One pleasing aspect is that the viewers can let their imagination run riot - that is the beauty of abstraction. Beatrix admits that this aspect gives her a kick, the fact that people see all sorts of things and symbolism in her work. To further encourage this sort of contemplation she gives her hangings imaginative titles.
The Kwela TV crew recently spent an entire day filming in her studio and recording her extraordinary life. Her career began in 1968, when she pioneered leather art in South Africa. It all started with the creation of a bedspread which evolved into a career. Completely self taught, she became renowned for commissioned works in large buildings and hundreds of homes around the world. Born in the small rural town of Herzogville in the Free State she graduated from Stellenbosch University then went on to study at the Johannesburg School of Art where she did pottery and weaving from 1965 to 1966. It was in 1969 that she came to live in Wilderness with her husband.
Her techniques are all self developed; in several of her hangings she has incorporated weaving techniques and the angular shapes are juxtaposed with more flowing designs in a kaleidoscope of colours. The variety of the works are such that they could even fit into a minimalistic decor. "When working with leather, I am constantly reminded of the importance of colour in conveying my message. Colour is a a 'raw material', an indispensable tool in the creation process - without colour it is impossible to illuminate the tactile nature of my medium," says Beatrix. But for now she is enjoying a much deserved rest from her daily toil.
Bosch takes a short breather following her solo exhibition held at the Alphen Hotel, Constantia, Cape Town.
Whilst working on her exhibition, Bosch burnt the midnight oil. Here she is with one of her vivid wall hangings which incorporates, amongst other things, crocodile hide.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: PAULINE LOURENS, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
