Art exhibition depicts legendary Lowveld landmarks
This is a beautiful collection of paintings of various landmarks during different times, years and seasons in the Lowveld, as captured by Odette Saayman.
The exhibition “Change: Legendary Lowveld Landmarks” of Lowveld artist Odette Saayman opened at the White River Gallery on March 2.
The exhibition features prominent landscapes of the Lowveld and focuses on the subtle shifts that happen through changes in different times of the day and seasons.
Saayman says the only constant in life is change. Change in the natural environment is measured by comparing not only different ages, millennia, centuries and decades, but is also evident from one year to the next, one season to another, month to month, day by day and sometimes even from one hour to the next, she says. The concept of this art exhibition is for Saayman to share with her viewers a variety of these changes in nature that she has personally experienced and observed from her studio in the Lowveld.
This studio is on a smallholding near White River, where she lives with her husband. The exhibition consists of 13 interrelated groups of paintings. Each such group pertains broadly to a different scene and is represented by a number of paintings illustrating diverse aspects of the respective changes of that scene over time. Each painting relates directly to the other paintings in the group and indirectly, on a broader level, to all the other paintings in the exhibition, thereby enhancing the viewer’s overall experience of and holistic engagement and interaction with the complete body of work, said Saayman.
The exhibition speaks of our natural heritage and depicts beloved landscapes and landmarks of the Lowveld that will be recognised by many, said Dana MacFarlane, White River Gallery’s director. She said the exhibition is relevant to the local communities of hikers, historians, nature enthusiasts, botanists and long-time residents of the Lowveld. She believes the exhibition will resonate with many, and that the artist provides a navigational point of reference for each artwork, making for an exhibition that allows for geographical interest and personal reflection.
MacFarlane and Casandra Jacobs, White River Gallery’s manager, said the exhibition is special in the way the artworks and thoughtful curation draw the viewer into an interactive experience that considers the effect of light and darkness as they converge, intersect and disperse, reflective of changes in our landscape, both literally and figuratively. They added that exhibiting these landscapes allows the viewer to experience all the subtle changes all at once, providing an interesting space for contemplation and immersion.
Jacobs said the opening was a great success. She said they were very happy with the turnout and the overwhelming support they had received from the artist community and the gallery’s friends.
Numerous locals attended the art exhibition’s opening and enjoyed the beauty of the various pieces.
From 10:00 to 13:00 on March 23, an artists in attendance session with Saayman will take place at White River Gallery. For further information or to request an exhibition catalogue, contact MacFarlane on 082 784 6695 or dana@whiterivergallery.co.za, or Jacobs at casandra@whiterivergallery.co.za.
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