Zavick & Ulric's washline fire burns brightly - South African Art Times

Page 4 South African Art Times. December 08 - January 09
RT_TIMES_DEC.indd 1 2008/12/04 12:32:30 PM
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Editorial
This month sees the 3rd year of
the SA Art Times, which is thrilling
especially after one of banks who
issued me with one of the three
credit cards that I took out to start
this Art Times with - thought it
novel that I survived their high
rate of interest on the card, and
has come in for funding an
exciting series of artists profiles
next year.
This edition is a little different to
others in so far as it should, we
hope reflect more on suggestions
that we received from a well
supported readers survey.
To this regards there are more
artists, captains of industry profiles
and some amusing, and sad
stories, and more pictures.
I hope that most of the typos and
spelling that we experienced at
the start up of the paper, are a
thing of the past, this was due to
a serious bottleneck in the
production of the paper.
Thanks for everyone’s very
generous support, both financial
and words of encouragement, it’s
gone a long way and it means a
lot to all of us here.
Here’s to next year and,
hopefully, my wish - many more
and diverse local art publications
that cover these interesting times
that we are living in.
Thanks again and here’s to a
great creative year ahead to you.
Gabriel
Commissioning Editor
South African Art Times
December 2008
The Editor
South African Art Times
Custom Stretched Canvasses
Hand made Easels
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Tel: 021 448 2799 Fax: 021 448 2797
artstuff@webmail.co.za www.artstuff.co.za
I refer to Veronica Wilkinson’s review of Jean Campbell’s book I Adore Red in your November issue. Wilkinson
makes the ludicrous assertion that Campbell’s book contains ‘significant art historical information’. Half-truths
subtly laced with spite do not make good or meaningful art history. The book consists of poorly-written autobiography
and worthless anecdote framed around paintings and drawings that are mired in mediocrity. Pedestrian
prose perfectly parallels a turgid handling of paint. Outing herself as a profound admirer of the ‘art theory’ and
practice of Vladimir Tretchikoff, Campbell exposes herself as wholly bereft of any understanding of the concepts
of kitsch, ‘camp’ or even the ironic. Her underhand swipes at the late Professor Neville Dubouw (sic) and the
New Group are personal vendettas more than anything else. Wilkinson has either failed to notice or is too polite
to admit that Campbell’s book is merely a glossy axe-grinding exercise in self-justification and self-promotion.
The reviewer Ambrose Bierce once said of a book that ‘its covers were too far apart’.
His comment fits I Adore Red perfectly.
Hayden Proud
The Editor
South African Art Times
I SAW RED
With reference to Jean Campbell’s book ‘I Adore Red’, reviewed by Veronica Wilkinson in your November issue,
I must comment. I am a past student of the former Foundation School of Art, where I studied for and obtained
two Diplomas over a five-year period in the 1980s - in Fine Art (Painting) and Book Illustration.
Apart from many other bitter and vindictive statements about personalities in the South African art world, Campbell
has made unfounded statements about The Foundation School of Art. This was a private, independent institution
which offered 3- and 4-year fulltime courses in accordance with the syllabus specified in its prospectus. It
produced excellent results in Fine Art (Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture), Graphic Design, Photography and Book
Illustration. Its motto ‘Sans Travail Rien’ – without work nothing – epitomised what it stood for.
Diplomas were awarded on the basis of external examination by suitably qualified professionals, teaching at
tertiary level institutions. To illustrate my point, here are names of some of the examiners: Lyn Smuts, Cecil
Skotnes, Geoff Grundlingh, Evelyn Cohen and Judith Mason.
To impugn the integrity of persons of this stature by implying that they might have ‘rubberstamped’ the Diplomas
for payment seems to me, to be libellous.
The school provided an alternative to institutions such as UCT and the Cape Technikon. Many former students
of the School have made names for themselves and some are recognized artists and represented in the SA
National Gallery. Disadvantaged students from varying cultural backgrounds enjoyed bursaries awarded by the
school. Also, I know that the school obtained sponsorship from outside sources on a regular basis for needy
students.
Unlike Campbell, many of us who obtained diplomas from the School can only look back at that period with
gratitude.
Jean Campbell’s book it seems is actually an excuse to publicly lash out at individuals and art
Institutions in general, which she misguidedly felt, had wronged her.
In view of what she has written, I’m sorry that i bought the book, a complete waist of my money.
The Cape Gallery seeks to expose you
to Fine Art that is rooted in an African
tradition that is both eclectic and diverse.
We rotate our exhibitions monthly touching
your imagination with the unique
cultural stamp that is our continent.
We exhibit an extensive collection of work by leading
South African Artists. Featured left are “Red Petals”
and “ Cats do like affection” by David Kuijers.
60 Church Street Cape Town
Tel: +27 21 423 5309
Fax: +27 21 424 9063
Email: cgallery@mweb.co.za
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GALLERY
082 SAAID Art Times David Kuijers 1 12/5/08 4:39:57 PM
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