Richard Scott - Naīve Meets Pop

I walk into the studio with the fantastic view. Richard quietly explains that he has knocked out a couple of walls to create more space. He is in the process of renovating and intends living right there for the next 20 years. I believe him.

I do not know Richard well. Seen his work in various galleries. You cannot miss it. It jumps at you. Read most of what has been written about his work. All the adjectives seem appropriate: seductive, contemporary, pop art, witty, commercial, mass produced, simplistic, light-hearted, charming, naīve, colourful, exciting, amusing. I spoke to him a couple of times. E-mailed him or he me. Set a date for his exhibition at Rust-en-Vrede Gallery. Visited his studio to select work for the intended exhibition. Seen how he works.

This is the thing - he is so serious and focussed about his business: art. And all of the above words are true. Yet there is more - a very successful, must have, sexy brand name. Richard Scott.

Go boy!

Monica Ross
Gallery Rust-en-Vrede

Richard Neville, Cindy Simpson and Gavin Rain

Jonathan Deal and Tony Westby-Nunn

Richard Scott and Monica Ross

The last Supper

General Shot

Richard and Salomien Scott

Alistair Simpson, Richard Neville and Cindy Simpson

General Shot

Earl Parker openig the show

Andrew Roseveare, Ilana Steenkamp and Kailey Deal

RIchard Scott and Rose Loubser

Nico Loretz and Franz Allers

Salomien Scott, Gavin Rain, Pieter van Oudtshoorn, Kim and Johann Nothnagel

Niel Visser, Richard Scott and Rose Loubser

Jaro Kalac and Richard Scott

Richard Scott and Piter van Oudtshoorn

Ian Pritchard and Mark Weedall

Richard Scott, Philip Hibbers and Sonja Hibbers

Sharon Deal and Liesl Groenewald

Steve Innes and Alex

Silja Horne and Hilja Stephen

Ryno Pentz and Leandre Booysen

Jan Wandrag and Wynand Aucamp

Jennifer Botte, Chelcie Steyn, Tanya Steyn and Natasha Steyn

Richard has asked me to write something to include in his book and says that this may be good or bad. This may be so in more ways than one but in fact I have not even contemplated such judgements about him or his work. Generally I try to avoid such rash conclusions.

What has impressed me is the extent to which Richard is able to integrate his artistic objectives with prevalent social and financial attitudes and arrive at a comfortable philosophical approach to these juxtaposed functions.

He has achieved this by donating a percentage of the proceeds of the sale of his works to charity in innovatively conceived formulations that patently assist his marketing but also contribute to the welfare of others.

Having the experience of an era where the artistic impulse and imagery was rooted in nature, I am fascinated by work such as Richards which seems to have the electronic imagery of TV, computer and movie screens at its source. This, together with his technical illustration experience, contributed to a unique approach to the process of making art, that seems in accord with contemporary lifestyle trends.

I am sure that Richards lateral thinking approach to the processes of art is going to afford us with much amazement and amusement in future!

Earl Parker
Member of Rust-en-Vrede Gallery

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