John Kramer and Ladismith

One of our clients and friends "Oom Frederik" lives in the town Ladismith in the Klein Karoo. It will take you about 3 -4 hours' drive, about 300km east from Cape Town. A town which is known for its farming community that produces fruit, wine, milk and flowers. Now, Oom Frederik's farm is situated in a region that is considered to be the best quality milk-producing area in South-Africa and also produces a third of South Africas apricots.

Ladismith is also famous for Towerkop, the split mountain peak, which looms over the town. Rumor has it that a witch, flying overhead, struck the peak in anger with her wand because it obstructed her passage over the mountain. Her anger resulted in Towerkop's unique appearance. These two peaks are called the Pinnacles.

On display we have an artpiece by John Kramer, Ladismith. John Kramer says "I am endlessly fascinated by the South African small town especially in the Western Cape and Karoo." He comments on a particular kind of building which expresses something of the people who created it or who live and work in it, but who, themselves, are not conscious of the image which it projects.

Now, this is something that Oom Fredrik can associate with. John Kramer wants the viewer to concentrate on the man-made details, advertisments and lettering and his aim is to create a painting that is a comment about a certain place that existed at a specific and unique moment in time.

Art in South Africa

Beautiful South Africa with its diverse people and constantly changing political scene, has been an inspiration and stimulation to many great artits. South Africa has always been stimulating to artists who have sought to paint from its landscapes, wildlife, right through to its diverse community.

Although we have a "credit crunch" on our hands, art is still exceeding expectation. According to some the market has dropped a few percent, while others will pay an arm and a leg for quality art. Such an example was Frans Oerder's - Magnolias, which sold on the 9th of March for an incredible R 1,782,400.00. The estimate price was R600 000 - R900 000, but I believe its fair to say that it sold for double off what was expected.

Another of many examples was a piece by well-known artist Irma Stern. Although accepted in Europe, her work was unappreciated at first in South Africa where critics derided her early exhibitions in the 1920s with reviews titled "Art of Miss Irma Stern - Ugliness as a cult". Gradually Stern became acknowledged as an established artist and from the 1940s achieved success locally. On Strauss's auction the 9th of March, Stern's "Magnolias in an earthenware pot" was estimated at R2 800 000 - R3 400 000 but was sold for a staggering R7 241 000.00.

Lastly, I quote from Die Burger newspaper (18/08/08): "Beleggings in kuns is steeds gewild, moeilike tye ten spyt. Dit is bewys dat beleggers se belangstelling en vertroue in kunsnog baie sterk staan"

Quality is remembered long after the price has been forgotten.