Beloved artist passes away
The late Eugene Hurter, a beloved local artist, passed away on October 12.
He painted the Lunsklip Fisheries’ spectacular waterfall in the Badfontein area, outside Lydenburg, for the front page of the Business Directory’s cover in 2019.
Gerda Whitehorn asked him to do this special commission. In between giving art classes and workshops, he was at his happiest outdoors, observing the light, paintbrush in hand. While fixing a radio about 50 years ago, he started using the soldering iron to decorate a wooden tray and realised he could draw.
His wife, Hester, bought him some paint and brushes and he started experimenting with red, white, and black. Eugene never looked back after his conversion to art. He invested in art books and a short art course through Unisa.
Also read: SANParks announces the dates for this year’s free access week
In 1973 he gave up his job to paint full-time. From the outset he did well, what with impressive corporate commissions from Standard Bank and Anglo American. In 1981, Eugene took part in an international art exhibition in Los Angeles as the only South African watercolour artist.
In 1988, he and his wife decided to sell up everything and travel the country in a V6 Ford and caravan – all in pursuit of beautiful scenes to paint. “It was the most rewarding time of my life.”
Eugene recalled at the time. His mentor and friend, Louis Audi, introduced him to the world of oil painting. Hester owned art galleries in Bethlehem and Durban. She was the one who put him onto his passion 45 years ago and joined his 11-year caravan journey, recording probably 90% of the Cape Winelands on canvas and selling it before the paint could dry.
After a short stint in Stilfontein, they settled in Lydenburg almost 20 years ago.
This was a natural choice for the Hurters, who have always loved this part of the world for its outdoors, its climate, and of course, its scenery. Eugene leaves behind his beloved Hester.
