Hermanus’ art walk begins in a street with a highly coloured kilim painted on the bricks. On either side of it are galleries, some with paintings and sculptures, others with handmade products, ceramics and design things. Doing the Hermanus art walk– talking to the gallerists as you go and dropping in at charming coffee shops along the way– is a window into the town’s dynamic and imaginative culture.
“Because we have 22 galleries that remain in such close distance to each other, Hermanus is thought about to be among the leading art locations in the Western Cape,” states the owner of Rossouw Modern Art Gallery, Jozua Rossouw.
MUST-DO: ART WALK ONCE A MONTH
You’ll feel this contagious energy on First Fridays when all the galleries stay open until 8.30 pm and host unique exhibits and serve local wines and little bites.
Or take a self-guided walk on any day of the week, utilizing the Art Walk map that is readily available at all galleries, rest and refuel at dining establishments and coffee shops along the way.
SEE WORK OF TOP SOUTH AFRICAN ARTISTS Jozua’s 3 galleries, one in an old fisherman’s house, includes work of popular recognized and emerging South African artists. There is a metal sculpture by Willie Bester entitled Nadia, a coily-haired lady who appears like she’s on her way to school, book bag in hand.
At SPACE Modern is William Kentridge’s Xa Xa Xa, a black-and-white linocut with Indian ink on mould made paper, and a Colbert Mashale seven-colour lithograph that illustrates the socio-political and socio-economic truths and hypocrisies of post-Apartheid South Africa.
THERE’S ART AT A RANGE OF PRICES The Start Gallery is an excellent starting point for up-and-coming collectors, who wish to begin smaler, states supervisor Natasha Steenefeld.
“When you stroll into our gallery things may look costly, however it is not the case. We have works that fetch R20 000 and we likewise offer art prints that will set you back R1 000,” she states. The more cost effective pieces, including watercolours, charcoals and oils from young artists attempting to develop themselves, are on a clothing hanger-like wall.
The gallery’s very popular modern artist Georgia Lane develops big, abstract paintings and has actually offered to collectors from New York to London.
MAKE SURE YOU SEE THESE GALLERIES Hermanus’ Art Walk is divided into 3 main locations, the Art Ally and Harbour Road, where you will discover 8 galleries; the Courtyard in Harbour Road, which has 5 galleries; and High Street and Main Road, where there are likewise 5 galleries.
Gallery de Jongh Gelderblom remains in the very first location and has actually elaborately woven, imported Persian carpets all over. The abundant interior frames the work of popular artist Charmaine De Jongh Gelderblom, who paints pictures, flower stills and scenes from Hermanus’ old harbour. Likewise in this very first location you’ll discover Roussouw Modern, Originals Gallery, Studio G, Malcolm Bowling and Lembu Gallery, along with the 2 SPACE galleries pointed out above.
MALCOLM BOWLING FOCUSES ON WILDLIFE
If you have an interest in South African wildlife, chat with a former game ranger, now artist and owner of the eponymous gallery, Malcolm Bowling. “After pursuing an art degree, I ended up being a game ranger, and would draw the birds that I saw. I grew up in the Eastern Cape, so Nguni livestock are typically the topic of my paintings,” states Bowling.
His gallery is also home to the stunning and instinctive works of Boniface Chikwenhere’s driftwood sculptures and Richard Pullen’s ceramics.
SEE FIVE MORE GEMS IN THE COURTYARD In the 2nd art location, The Courtyard in Harbour Road, is the entry to the Hermanus station of the flagship Cape Town gallery Art@Africa. This inclusive area, which centres around South African identity, houses the works of young and recognized artists of various socio-economic backgrounds and races.
One might invest hours in this compact, two-story loft, involved in David Griesel’s augmented-reality partnership with computer system developer, Henning Ludeke, or Mpho Mazibuko’s paintings of her loved ones on, and accompanied by, throw-away items that are similar to her childhood in Turffontein, Rosettenville, casual settlements and Soweto.
Jeweller Geta Finlayson, partner of wine maker Peter Finlayson, states her work is really individual. “I work together with my customers to develop a piece of jewellery that’s a reflection of their character, existence and look. Each piece is distinct however brings my signature design. I utilize a mix of gold, silver, and semi gemstones to improve your complexion, age and your appearance.”
You’ll also discover the galleries The Start, FynArts and Jewellery Art by Simon in The Courtyard.
DON’T MISS INTETHE GALLERY
The tiniest gallery on the walk remains in Hermanus’ 3rd art location and is devoted to promoting mainly black, Southern African fine artists. Presently on program at Intethe are charcoal illustrations from Polokwane-born Amos Letsoalo, dream-like scenes from Soweto come to life through pastel on paper illustrations from Gcina Sam Maduna, and copper-wire-woven female figurines that are seated, hoping and playing by Kwa-Zulu Natal artist Lindelani Ngwenya.
Also included are increased quartz and ironwood sculptures by Shepherd Ndudzo, from Zimbabwe and Botswana, entitled The Lovers, Taichi Dancers, and Prayer. And, do not leave without taking a minute to admire Zamani Makhanya’s Cubism sketches of African significance and concepts in glowing rainbow colourways.
Other galleries in this location are Pure South, Gallery 19, Art Thirst with resident artist Leon Müller, and Walker Bay Modern.
YOU’LL MEET ARTISTS AND GALLERISTS The 19th stop of the walk is a deep-blue studio on 19 High Street. The colour of the studio’s outside changes as the eccentric artist and owner, Jenny Jackson, enjoys to change her area – you will not miss it. Devoted to her work, the gallery is rather compact, however her variety of meaningful oils, concentrating on pictures and stills, can quickly be seen through the big windows from the walkway.
The topic of 2 well-viewed documentaries on YouTube, All Cats Are Black and Love, Mummy, the British-native-turned-Hermanus-resident is simply as abundant and interesting as her work. “I showed up here in 2002 and never ever wished to leave,” she states. “My paintings can be discovered all over the world, which is such an excitement due to the fact that I’m totally self-taught!”
TRY THE MANY EATERIES ALONG THE WAY Throughout the roadway from Intethe, on 26 High Street, is Oskar’s Café and Bakery, serving wholesome baked products like sourdough bread, crispy oat cookies, banana loaf and bagels with flavourful fillings. From the French café awnings to the train tiled walls inside the pastry shop.
Angler’s Cottage is among Hermanus’ organizations, a restaurant in a historic structure of the late 1800s. Its focus is mainly seafood, however there are also a couple of meat and vegetarian meals, along with an everyday chalkboard menu. Another great alternative is The Wine Glass in The Courtyard, where you can match a few of the nation’s finest white wines with either a tasty charcuterie and cheese plate or a main meal.
In the yard of Walker Bay Modern Art, a two-story structure on 167 Main Road with a comprehensive art collection– a major collector’s sanctuary– is The Gallery Café. Feel the sunshine through the trees and listen to French café music and the chatter of pleased customers. Croissants are what the café is best understood for, and there are 14 various fillings on the menu, consisting of Kit Kat and Turkish pleasure.
