SOLLY v.r. SMOOK

FOODBANK AFRICA

Sol's art Auctioned in London

Thursday, 19 November 2009 22:46

We at FoodBank South Africa (FoodBank SA) are happy to declare our first Art Auction a full success. More than 50 guests were welcomed by High Commissioner Skweyiya and FoodBank representative Mary-Ann Parr at the Foundling Museum in London on the 12th of November 2009.

Professional South African artists such as Helene Kruger, Jennifer Gray, Solly Smook, Nathan Chikoto and Ticha Nyaruviro provided us with a wide selection of pieces ranging from the typical South African art in bright and earthy colors to original paintings of ethnic culture. A selection of ‘Street Art' by non-professionals was also displayed and auctioned. Additionally, we sold beautifully beaded South African Christmas decoration.

After having some welcome drinks sponsored by SAB Miller and South Africa House and canapés sponsored by Mustard Catering, the guests were equipped with giant plastic forks as paddles, and the auctioneer started the action. The art lovers and supporters of FoodBank picked up bidding quickly so that the stakes were set early in the evening.

By joining the auction, the guests showed their support for the enormous effort of FoodBank to alleviate hunger in South Africa.

Even though South Africa has the potential to grow enough food to feed its population, 14.4 million South Africans are food insecure. Hundreds of NGOs already work to address this, yet the lack of coordination and logistics prevent a larger scale impact. With successful experiences in over 20 countries, the foodbanking system aims to combine the small efforts to a nation-wide network, thus working more cost efficiently and sourcing more food than any other social organisation in South Africa.

By fighting hunger, FoodBank SA also takes a leading role in attacking the roots of the health, education and crime problems that are still a huge topic in South Africa.

Since the launch in the beginning March of 2009, community FoodBanks have been launched in the four major cities, with 16 more FoodBanks to come over the next three years. Currently, the FoodBank network supplies 1.2 million meals a month.

In order to keep up with the growing demand of food, FoodBank SA has appealed to public and private donors throughout the year. With the money raised through the Art Auction we are able to provide 175 000 additional meals to the needy in South Africa.

Sol joins ART WITHOUT BOUNDARIES

‘FREEDOM & ART: FREE ART – ART WITHOUT BOUNDARIES’ EXHIBITION AT THE RAINBOW EXPERIENCE The Rainbow Experience at Mandela Rhodes Place is privileged to be hosting the ‘Freedom and Art’ international exhibition for one month from April 28th 2010. Complementing this exhibition are the works of 30 local artists who show their pieces as “ Free art – Art without Boundaries” The International traveling exhibition (from the Mirca Group) has come to South Africa and features artists from all over the world. In support of Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Prize-winning peace activist who stands for the rights of individuals, freedom and democracy in the face of a brutal dictatorship in Burma, this exhibition will move and inspire you. Proceeds from sales will be split between Amnesty International, the Artists and the Gallery. Therefore by patronizing the Arts your purchase will be going towards helping Aung San Suu Kyi. Launching the exhibition, struggle icon, Judge Albie Sachs, stressed the importance of the works in their depiction of the human right of freedom. He spoke about the unrest after the Chris Hani assassination in 1992 and how Archbishop Tutu had called for peace as “The rainbow nation of God”. (And)How this affirmative projection of a “rainbow people” at a moment of crisis had given people hope and the (this) concept has become our strength. The link between human rights and creativity brings people together internationally and in honoring Aung San Suu Kyi with this exhibition and the addition of local exhibits we underscore an international voice calling for her freedom. Judge Sachs concluded that this poignant event, though small , has resonance throughout the world and brings together all that is happening so that cumulatively the impact can make a difference. Guests were invited to write messages of hope and freedom on rice paper fire lanterns which, as a special dedication to Aung San Suu Kyi, will be released in Cape Town in the near future. at the end of the exhibition, please come and add your messages while you peruse the Art. The exhibition in Cape Town features 20 of the international artists joined by submissions from 30 local artists, which is curated by Belinda van der Merwe and Vicki Murphy. Included in the local line up are Tay Dall, Solly Smook and Phinias Ghirubve, in a variety of mixed media works. Celebrating our own Freedom Day and 16 years of democracy the combination of international and local artists is a powerful representation of how art and freedom are intertwined and a strong reminder of how far South Africa has traveled. The international traveling exhibition consists of artwork by 74 talented artists representing 27 countries from around the world, they are all part of the Mirca Group, an online artists community (which is free to join online www.mirca-art.com) and all are recorded in the book ‘Freedom & Art. The book will be on sale along with the 20 exhibited works sent here by some of these artists. Most of the artists have never met face to face, but share one common interest, a passion for freedom and art. Carla Goldberg from Nelsonville, NY, USA, one of the international artists featured in the Cape Town exhibition, shares her feelings in the book: “Freedom is the ability to speak or create from the heart without harsh governmental reprisals.” Linda Bayer Domanski from Westbrookville, NY, USA adds: “Freedom to bask in the elemental, to be still and find rest.” Another moving quote taken from artist Inaya Hodeib from Lebanon, who features in the book: “My life line so far has taken me through five brutal wars, both civil and invasive. I’ve seen a lot of people dying and killing in the name of a cause that they think would bring them freedom. But sadly, freedom is not a physical entity and alas, death brings forth more bloodshed. Freedom is a state of mind, a simple feeling of gratitude, and a divine happiness that one can find no matter how dark and deep the pit is. Freedom cannot be taken or bought, it is only made and felt from within”. View the documentary ‘Freedom & Art Exhibition’ in New York on Youtube – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXUFOAdzhbs For more information, please contact Belinda van der Merwe on 021 422 1428 or manager@therainbowexperience.co.za The exhibition is at The Rainbow Experience, Mandela Rhodes Place, Church St. Cape Town from April 28 to May 28

PROJEKTE

KalahariKrismis ‘n Inheemse Kersfeesalbum deur Randall Wicomb. Teks:Hans du Plessis. Katalogus nr.: VCD 5255 ‘n Splinternuwe, oorspronklike Afrikaanse-CD met 13 kersliedere uit eie bodem verskyn eersdaags op die rakke. 10 van die snitte is nuwe werke uit die pen van Hans du Plessis, getoonset en uitgevoer deur Randall Wicomb, om ‘n trilogie van Oranjerivier -Afrikaans te voltooi. Sy vorige twee CD’s “Hie neffens My” en “Hie langes My” is met wye belangstelling en akklamasie ontvang. Die 2 CD’s het tot goue verkope status gelei en o.a. die ATKV-gospeltoekenning, Geraasmusiektoekenning(GMT) asook ‘n VONK-tydskrif verering, ontvang. KalahariKrismis sluit buiten die 10 oorspronklike werke ook die geliefde “Stille Nag” in, maar in Kalahari-Afrikaans. Twee ander snitte op KalahariKrismis wat besondere diepgang verleen aan die Afrikaanse-Kersliedereskat, is die toonsettings van Wicomb van Elisabeth Eybers se gedig “Maria” en DJ Opperman se “Kersliedjie” Randall Wicomb se KalahariKrismis-CD, wat op die drumpel van sy 40-jaar in die musiekbedryf vrygestel word, getuig van ‘n stewige onderbou in kwaliteit, wat strek uit sy 9jaar koorsang aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch, o.l.v die legendariese Prof Philip McLachlan. Nog meer merkwaardig in KalahariKrismis is die ensemble-werk met sy 3 kinders Pierre-Henri ( tans besig met navorsing in Komposisie vir sy Ph.D), Saskia (ontwerper en afgestudeerde dramastudent) en Kobá (haar man , Jan Solms, Grafiese-ontwerper, het die CD-omslag en boekie ontwerp). Die voorblad van KalahariKrismis is ‘n werk van kunstenaar, Solly Smook, terwyl die fotos versorg is deur bekroonde fotograaf, Jean du Plessis.

Sol was born in Otjiwarongo , Namibia. He matriculated at Jan van Riebeeck high school in Cape Town and studied graphic design at the Cape Technicon.He became a full-time artist in 2003, leaving behind a 20year career in the restaurant trade.Sol is known for his spiritual art and uses his art to teach and portray the beauty and majesty of life , the miracles that lies beyond the dogma of Sunday teachings, the unity of all and every thing and the power of faith. With his paintings he asks the viewer to go beyond the physical without discarding it.Sol was influenced by the artists Da Vinci, Dali and Keith Alexander.Sol also studied alternative healing methods and became an Electro magnetic field practitioner in 1999. He teaches meditation and hosts spiritual and art courses and counselling, from his home in Riebeek Kasteel. Sol has had over 40 very successful group and solo exhibitions and his art found it's way to various private collections all over the world.Sol strongly believes in giving back to his community and regularly donate art to be auctioned for charity.The latest of these were for the Riebeek valley empowerment project. His Artwork was auctioned at the Foundling museum in London for Foodbank Africa.Sol is also a member of Mirca and donated art to The Rainbow Experience at Mandela Rhodes, In support of Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Prize-winning peace activist who stands for the rights of individuals, freedom and democracy in the face of a brutal dictatorship in Burma. Proceeds from sales was for Amnesty International. .

SOLLY v.r. SMOOK

VOORWOORD

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