Speech For Brett Kebble At Opening At Grosvenor Villa August 16 2003
I would like to welcome you all this evening to Grosvenor Villa gallery.
As some of you may know this year I founded a new national art award. I did so because I believe that in a changing South Africa opportunities for artists to showcase their work are more difficult to come by and that perhaps the once vibrant art scene is in danger of becoming elitist or moribund. Artist need their work to be seen and they need an environment that encourages people to buy art. South Africa has a wealth of artistic talent that desperately needs a showcase if it is to blossom and that those of us who care about art and who are in the position to do so, should do everything they can to encourage them. That is why I am so pleased to be asked to open tonight's exhibition. A variety of people and small and large companies who care about art have come together to make this evening possible. I would like to extend the organizers thanks to Nomadik Freeform Tents & Canopies, Pomegranite Catering, Cape Point vineyards, Manuka Café and Dine Wine, Carpe Diem and Lindt of Switzerland sponsors each and every one.
The five artists on show tonight represent a microcosm of South African art;
- Joe Joubert began life as a graphic designer in Bloemfontein and obsessively studied the old masters to assist his transformation into a painter working in oils.
- Karl Staub is entirely self-taught but has forged his own unique 'kugel' style.
- Vivien Kohler grew up on the Cape flats, like Jan he started by studying graphic design but went on a voyage of exploration that has led him to silk screen printing model building and illustration.
- Eric Duplan started illustrating for ad agencies - he then began creating stained glass windows and murals before finding his present niche painting large land and seascapes.
- Richard Scott is one of those artists whose name seems to be hyphenated - Richard controversial-Scott. In my book controversial is good - the word has been used about me a few times. I have been independent of the selection process for the Brett Kebble Art Awards but curator Richard Smith who is here tonight tells me that; Richard will be a finalist for my award. He is probably the first of the finalists to be told the news. Congratulations Richard.
I am a firm believer in the adage that a a good speech is a short speech. So my final word is th thank the Grosvenor Villa Gallery for staging this exhibition and to say that I hope you enjoy the artwork and the evening very much indeed.
Brett Kebble
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