My art comes from an urge to explore. I like the countryside. I like a good view. And once I’m face to face with a lovely scenery, I feel immediately tempted to find out what it’s concealing. The dark goings-on behind the façade of nature, you might say, or the hidden machinations of the animal kingdom.
one of the best things i own is this framed etching of La Gratitude manor in Dorp Street, Stellenbosch. my dad bought it from some poor guy who was actually peddling it door to door. he seemed a bit down on his luck, so pops took it off his hands for something ridiculous like… R350. i don’t really LOVE the etching, but i really like the fact that it’s of a building in stellenbosch (born & raised) – and a place i walk past almost everyday.
what caught my attention most of all was the frame, which is on the verge of falling apart & also super dusty (i don’t want to clean it too much, in case it breaks). it has this faded green velvet inner border & little flowers all around the edges. i’m a tart for ornate frames, you see.
i do think that it’s pretty old, even though i’m sure that the dude who was selling it must have lied his pants off about what it was actually worth. there’s a calendar from 1911-1912 stuck on the back – which is kind of odd, but perhaps some kind of indication of its age.
either way, it’s lovely.
i’ve watched this advert a multitude of times, but decided to share anyway for those of you who might not have seen it yet – it’s been all over the sa blogosphere (for good reason). it’s an ad for the south african investment firm, allan gray. read the background story & making of over at king james and pay close attention when the dust clears at the end of the ad, that’s actual james dean right there : )
“he devoured life, swallowing large chunks of it whole”
yoh – what a dish, right?
A concept-map exploring the Left vs Right political spectrum. A collaboration between David McCandless and information artist Stefanie Posavec – via Information is Beautiful
i fall into the liberal category, but definitely have elements of a conservative in me (tough love!)
