Jean Powell exhibits her work
Durban artist, Jean Powell, will exhibit her work at Durban Art Gallery Circular Gallery until 27 January.
AN exhibition of work by Durban artist Jean Powell showing selected examples of her fabric works, traditional graphic works, botanic studies, calligraphy, and her collaborations with architects in vitreous enamel and etched glass, is currently on at the Durban Art Gallery Circular Gallery until 27 January, curated by Robert Brusse.
Jean Powell, now in her mid-80s, is an artist remembered as an active committee member of the KwaZulu-Natal Society of Arts, the Friends of the Durban Art Gallery and other bodies, but is less well known for her own artistic production. Jean is probably best known for her enamel works, both private and public. Several of the works that she has on exhibition have a strong empathy towards women and their perceived problems in a male dominated world.
She has discovered, taught and helped countless young people to develop skills and talents, but few of us know the breadth of her work, nor her journey through life.
Jean trained in Britain, working in Kenya before coming to South Africa. She is one of the few art teachers alive who taught on Salisbury Island in Durban. She went on to teach textile design at the University of Durban Westville, before moving to the Natal Technical College. She was one of a group of dedicated artists who developed the talents of various communities under trying circumstances.
The exhibition comprises examples of her fabric works, traditional graphic works, botanic studies, calligraphy, tinted drawings, crayon and pencil works, lino prints, silkscreens, lithographs, etchings, and her collaborations with architects in vitreous enamel and etched glass,
The Durban Art Gallery is open seven days a week Monday until Saturday from 8.30am until 4pm, and Sunday from 11am until 4pm. Entry is free. Contact 031 311 2264/9.
