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.