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Griesel delivers pure talent
“Hennie Griesel is one of the most under-estimated artists in
South Africa. It could be seen, in Biblical terms, that he is a
prophet who does not receive enough honour in his own country.”
This compliment from a well-known art-dealer in Gauteng, is surely
not an exaggeration.
Griesel’s magnificent works can be seen in houses and offices all
over Taiwan, USA, Israel and France.
An art collector from Fort Lauderdale in Florida (USA) was só
impressed with Griesel’s work that he took 9 of them with to the
USA.
Imposing, if one keeps in mind that he has never attended a single
art class in his life, and had no art tuition of any kind.
Everything he delivers is pure talent.
Not that South Africans who come across his work are careless about
it. His works are displayed across the country, and boast in art
collections at universities and city councils.
Griessel never praises himself. He believes that his work must speak
for him.
His wife and business manager, Carol, says “Hennie is no softie,
believe me. He can be difficult like only a true artist can. But
when he is busy in his studio, the whole world can perish.
“He speaks through his art.”
According to art experts, Griesel who turns 75 this year is
delivering his best works ever, despite his high age.
He did show signs of a love for art as a young boy in the Tzaneen-district,
and he even started painting. He earned his money as a road-worker
driving bull dozers. Later the need to paint urged him to stay busy
in his studio.
His house and paradise-garden in Klerksdorp tells a little bit of
what goes on in his head, and what is clear in his art: his love for
nature.
Of his most popular work include still-lifes of copper and flowers,
especially cosmos and sunflowers.
He also delivers masterpieces of landscapes, animal studies and
architecture.
“Hennie paints everything. As soon as he has ‘seen’ the painting in
his mind’s eye, he walks into his studio en paints until the picture
is finished.
The shy school boy from Tzaneen, and later the road worker from the
Free State’s works are highly collectable these days, and the prices
are going up on auctions.
Art-experts mean that buying a Griesel now, would be one of the best
art-investments that a collector can do.
-
Beeld, 11 February 2006 |
