LANDSCAPE & STAR N I C O LAA S M A R I T Z
MOÓR GALLERY F R A N S C H H O E K
LANDSCAPE & STAR An exhibition of recent paintings by
N I C O LAAS MAR I T Z JUNE / JULY 2016
MOÓR GALLERY FRANSCHHOEK WWW.MOORGALLERYFRANSCHHOEK.CO.ZA
CONTENTS INTRODUCTION LANDSCAPE STILL LIFE APPARITION COLLECTIONS
INTRODUCTION It has bothered me all my life that I do not paint like everybody else. Henri Matisse
In art, as in life, HOPE is central to existence. Nicolaas Maritz is well known for his optimistic landscape paintings, the colourful creations of an individualist perspective, resembling no other. Maritz held his first exhibition at the Eastern Cape Association of Fine Arts Gallery in Port Elizabeth to mixed reception. Now, 40 years later, his works are instantly recognisable for their uneasy quirkiness and straight-forward humour, and much sought after. Maritz’s oeuvre has become an important part of the landscape of Southern African art. Where there is land there is HOPE. Life is a landscape of experience, a geography of projections. To paint is to live a life of HOPE. Above every landscape, HOPE hangs like a lambent star in the sky. Any blank surface seems to harbour the promise of creative activity, and, ultimately the figuration of joy. But experiences of joy can be very personal, intimate, and sometimes quite awkward. The contemporary Southern African condition represents a powerful visual and intellectual experience, the deeply appreciated source of this painter’s inspiration. As a painter, Maritz has harboured a life-long fascination with the seductions of surface and layering; the inherent tensions of painterly depth. The titles of his paintings are often
a tongue-in-cheek play on the confusing meanings of words, and the inscrutable similarities and differences between English and Afrikaans. For Maritz, to be a painter is to be a hero, (anything else is too curatorial, documentary and post factum). Maritz is nothing if not contrary, often assuming a counter position, almost as if to prove that by merely doing so, the original ‘neat’ argument or notion is reduced to just so much chaotic hot air. This is a constantly evolving ploy which frustrates any attempt at pigeon-holing his oeuvre. It may be true to state that he works in opposition to his perceived public. His works have been variously described as difficult, naïve, sophisticated, primitive or ethno-centric punk. At first glance, this may seem contradictory, but the artist feels that these descriptions all validate the notion of artistic communication, and are expressions of recognition and acknowledgement. They prove the old adage that people ’know what they like’, rather than what they are supposed to like. In the world of art, variety seems to be the spice of life. Yet, though the labelling vagaries of art-isms invariably fall short of capturing a broader picture, Nicolaas Maritz, who has familial roots in both South Africa and Namibia, comfortably pictures himself as a Southern African painter. The paintings on this exhibition at the new Moór Gallery in Franschhoek, are roughly divided according to subject matter into three categories: Landscape, Still Life and Apparition.
LANDSCAPE
With colour one obtains an energy that seems to stem from witchcraft. Henri Matisse
01. Blou Rante naby Mariental, 2014, emaljeverf op bord, 635 x 900mm Blue Ridges near Mariental, 2014, enamel paint on board, 635 x 900mm
02. Duskant Thabazimbi, 2014, emaljeverf op bord, 590 x 1000mm This Side of Thabazimbi, 2014, enamel paint on board, 590 x 1000mm
03. Rooipoort se Klipvlakte, 2014, emaljeverf op bord, 1215 x 1440mm The Rocky Flats near Rooipoort, 2014, enamel paint on board, 1215 x 1440mm
04. Hamerkop en Nguni Plaasuitsig, 20111/12, emaljeverf op bord, 1220 x 1210mm Hamerkop and Nguni Farm View, 2011/12, enamel paint on board, 1220 x 1210mm
05. Windhoekse Kliprant met Volmaan IV, 2013, emaljeverf op bord, 610 x 1000mm Windhoek Rock Ridge at Full Moon IV, 2013, enamel paint on board, 610 x 1000mm
06. Windhoekse Kliprant met Volmaan II, 2013, emaljeverf op bord, 765 x 1220mm Windhoek Rock Ridge at Full Moon II, 2013, enamel paint on board, 765 x 1220mm
07. Sterrenag, 2007, emaljeverf op bord, 925 x 1200mm Starry Night View, 2007, enamel paint on board, 925 x 1200mm
08. Ligblou Maansirkels met Man en VoĂŤl, 2016, emaljeverf op bord, 1200 x 900mm Light Blue Moon Swirls with Man and Bird, 2016, enamel paint on board, 1200 x 900mm
09. Donker Sterre met Heldermaan, 2016, emaljeverf op bord, 420 x 590mm Dark Stars with Bright Moon, 2016, enamel paint on board, 420 x 590mm
10. Volmaan met Spookasem-sterre, 2016, emaljeverf op bord, 790 x 790mm Full Moon with Candy Floss Stars, 2016, enamel paint on board, 790 x 790mm
11. Rooi Nag met Geel Maan, 2016, emaljeverf op bord, 590 x 790mm Red Night with Yellow Moon, 2016, enamel paint on board, 590 x 790mm
12. Pinkie-maan, 2016, emaljeverf op bord, 590 x 790mm Pinky Moon, 2016, eneml paint on board, 590 x 790mm
13. Oker Strandmeer, 2013, Emaljeverf op Bord, 420 x 420mm Ochre Lagoon, 2013, Enamel Paint on Board, 420 x 420mm
14. Langebaan Eiland 2013, Emaljeverf op Bord, 430 x 765mm Langebaan Island 2013, Enamel Paint on Board, 430 x 765mm
15. Kaapse Koppie II, 2013, Emaljeverf op Bord, 590 x 620mm Cape Koppie II, 2013, Enamel Paint on Board, 590 x 620mm
16. Kaapse Koppie III, 2013,Emaljeverf op Bord, 590 x 565mm Cape Koppie III, 2013, Enamel Paint on Board, 590 x 565mm
STILL LIFE
I shut my eyes in order to see. Paul Gauguin
17. Twee Katte met Geel Beker en Suurlemoen, 2013, emaljeverf op bord, 605 x 580mm Two Cats with Yellow Jug and Lemon , 2013, enamel paint on board, 605 x 580mm
18. Rooi Kat en Blou Peulgras, 2014, emaljeverf op bord, 625 x 600mm Red Cat with Blue Podgrass, 2014, enamel paint on board, 625 x 600mm
19. Geel Beker met Blou Takke, 2013, emaljeverf op bord, 785 x 610mm Yellow Jug with Blue Branches, 2013, enamel paint on board, 785 x 610mm
20. Spikkelbeker met Blou Takke, 2013, emaljeverf op bord, 750 x 605mm Speckled Jug with Blue Branches, 2013, enamel paint on board, 750 x 605mm
21. Vaalblou Blompot met Dowwe Suurlemoen, 2014, emaljeverf op bord, 580 x 990mm Pale Blue Vase with Indistinct Lemon, 2014, enamel paint on board, 580 x 990mm
22. Stillewe met LeĂŤ Wynbottel, 2013, emaljeverf op bord, 795 x 795mm Still Life with Empty Wine Bottle, 2013, enamel paint on board, 795 x 795mm
23. Grys Vrugtebak-uitsig 2012, Emaljeverf op Bord, 400 x 820mm Grey Fruit Bowl View 2012, Enamel Paint on Board, 400 x 820mm
24. Tandepasta Suurlemoene 2013, Emaljeverf op Bord, 590 x 680mm Toothpaste Lemons 2013, Enamel Paint on Board, 590 x 680mm
25. Twee Emaljeverf-suurlemoene, 2014, emaljeverf op bord, 392 x 640mm Two Enamel Paint Lemons, 2014, enamel paint on board, 392 x 640mm
26. Drie Spikkelsuurlemo ene 2013, Emaljeverf op Bord, 490 x 590mm Three Speckled Lemons 2013, Enamel Paint on Board, 490 x 590mm
27. Stillewe in Groen Skemerlig met Drie Suurlemoene, 2016, emaljeverf op bord, 590 x 790mm Still Life in Green Gloaming with Three Lemons, 2016, enamel paint on board, 590 x 790mm
28. Stillewe in Groen Skemerlig met Blou Bord, 2016, emaljeverf op bord, 590 x 790mm Still Life in Green Gloaming with Blue Plate, 2016, enamel paint on board, 590 x 790mm
29. Rooi-lyn Suurlemoen, 2103, emaljeverf op bord, 237 x 260mm
30. Wit-lyn Suurlemoen, 2013, emaljeverf op Bord, 260 x 260mm
Red Line Lemon, 2013, enamel paint on board, 237 x 260mm
White Line Lemon, 2013, enamel Paint on Board, 260 x 260mm
31. Ou Suurlemoen, 2013, Emaljeverf op Bord, 260 x 260mm Old Lemon, 2013, Enamel Paint on Board, 260 x 260mm
32. Spookagtige Suurlemoene, 2013, Emaljeverf op Bord, 320 x 255mm Ghostly Lemons, 2013, Enamel Paint on Board, 320 x 255mm
33. Twee Blouerige Suurlemoene, 2013, Emaljeverf op Bord, 260 x 310mm Two Bue-ish Lemons, 2013, Enamel Paint on Board, 260 x 310mm
34. Vergete Suurlemoene, 2013, Emaljeverf op Bord, 260 x 323mm Forgotten Lemons, 2013, Enamel Paint on Board, 260 x 323mm
35. Blou VoĂŤl en Pienk Vis, 2015, emaljeverf op bord, 453 x 297mm Blue Bird and Pink Fish, 2015, enamel paint on board, 453 x 297mm
36. Vis en VoĂŤl, 2015, emaljeverf op bord, 300 x 485mm Fish and Bird, 2015, enamel paint on board, 300 x 485mm
37. Klein Groen Vissie, 2015, emaljeverf op bord, 290 x 370mm Small Green Fishy, 2015, enamel paint on board, 290 x 370mm
38. Vaalvis op Geel Bord, 2015, emaljeverf op bord, 420 x 420mm Pale Fish on Yellow Plate, 2015, enamel paint on board, 420 x 420mm
APPARITION
I wouldn't mind turning into a vermillion goldfish. Henri Matisse
39. Gedaantes van ‘n Geitjie, 2009/14, emaljeverf op bord, 1220 x 920mm Apparitions of a Gecko, 2009/14, enamel paint on board, 1220 x 920mm
40. Gedaantes van Glans en van Vergetelheid, 2009/14, emaljeverf op bord, 1220 x 920mm / Apparitions of Lustre and of Loss, 2009/14, enamel paint on board, 1220 x 920mm
41. Kolman, 2014, emaljeverf op bord, 200 x 300mm Dot Man, 2014, enamel paint on board, 200 x 300mm
RIGHT 42. Twee Plattelandse Goggabies, 2009/14, emaljeverf op bord, 1220 x 1520mm Two Rural Goggabies, 2009/14, enamel paint on board, 1220 x 1520mm
43. Ster-oog Gedaante, 2016, emaljeverf op bord, 328 x 285mm Starry-eyed Apparition, 2016, enamel paint on board, 328 x 285mm
44. Selfportret as Gedaante, 2016, emaljeverf op bord, 620 x 380mm Self Portrait as Apparition, 2016, enamel paint on board, 620 x 380mm
45. Betrokke Persoonlikheid, 2016, emaljeverf op bord, 285 x 215mm / Interested Personnage, 2016, enamel paint on board, 285 x 215mm
46. Blou Wese, 2016, emaljeververf op bord, 290 x 185mm / Blue Being, 2016, enamel paint on board, 290 x 185mm
47. Bloubaard Persoonlikheid, 2106, emaljeverf op bord, 300 x 280mm Blue Beard Personnage, 2016, enamel paint on board, 300 x 280mm
COLLECTIONS Pretoria Art Museum Johannesburg Art Gallery Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Gallery, Port Elizabeth Durban Art Gallery South African National Gallery, Cape Town Toyoko International Art Collection, Yokohama Standard Bank Art Collection, Johannesburg ABSA Bank Art Collection, Pretoria Volkskas Bank Art Collection, Pretoria Telkom SA Art Collection, Pretoria Rand Merchant Bank Art Collection, Johannesburg Akasia Clinic Art Collection, Pretoria Department of National Education, Pretoria Board of Financial Services, Pretoria University of Cape Town Art Collection Stellenbosch University Sasol Art Collection SASOL Art Collection, Johannesburg Meerlust Wine Estate, Stellenbosch Buffalo and Erie Public Library, Buffalo, New York Sanlam Art Collection, Cape Town Groote Post Wine Estate, Darling The Arabella Sheraton Hotel Art Collection, Cape Town Didata Art Collection, Johannesburg Anglo-American Art Collection, Johannesburg E.Oppenheimer & Sons Art Collection, Johannesburg Thelema Wine Estate, Stellenbosch The Melrose Arch Hotel, Johannesburg National Art Gallery of Namibia, Windhoek Carnegie Art Gallery, Newcastle, Natal Iziko Museums Collection, Cape Town
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