WORDS Palesa Kgasane IMAGES courtesy of Alice Toich and Wildekrans Country House
Cape Town-based artist Alice Toich’s exhibition, running from 31 October until 8 November 2020, features a new collection of oil paintings celebrating the garden, growth and new beginnings.
Eat the Tomatoes Where You Are From takes place at Wildekrans Country House in Houw Hoek in the Western Cape, in conjunction with Elgin Open Gardens 2020.
Alice’s visit to the historic Wildekrans Country House, where she created this body of work, saw her immediately taken by the beauty of the space. “The first time I came to Wildekrans Country House I was moved by the peace and unassuming beauty of the gardens,” says Alice. “Small little pink and white daisies dotted between the paving and green grass extending down to the arum lily-lined stream. There is a sort of zooming in and out from details of rambling vines over painted tiles to monumental mountains.” It was this encounter, and many others, she describes as “perfect” moments that eventually lead her to this exhibition.
“Just like a painting is created by many moments layered onto one surface through brush marks, so is a garden made with many layers of hands, time and natural elements – curating the unique moment in which you see it,” says Alice.
Reflecting meaningfully on the process leading up to the exhibition, Alice adds, ‘’You cannot have a discussion with a rose bush and ask it when it plans to produce its finest rose for you to paint – you must simply accept: the gift of the rose. The rose that was made with what rain was available and what days of sunshine graced it. The gifts that are made available exactly – and this is the important part – only where you are. The gifts of eating the tomatoes where you are.”
In addition to the exhibition, Alice will host a one-day oil painting workshop focusing on painting “from life” in the garden. The workshop costs R1 200 per person and takes place on 7 November 2020. Bookings for the workshop and the exhibition will have to be made prior to the time via email. Visit Alice’s blog or wildekrans.co.za for more information.
Eat the Tomatoes Where You Are From will run from 31 October until 8 November 2020, Monday to Sunday, 9am until 5pm, by appointment. Entrance to the exhibition is free but attendees are asked to make a R20 donation to the Bot River Education Fund.
About Wildekrans Country House: Named after the “wild cliffs” at the bottom of the rambling garden, the Wildekrans farm dates back to 1811. The traditional Cape Dutch architecture, countered by a contemporary art collection, offers a city energy with a country soul, while the Houw Hoek Mountains make for a dramatic natural backdrop. This established garden of colourful roses, indigenous shrubs, aged trees, an olive grove and water gardens forms part of Elgin Open Gardens 2020.
Follow Alice on Instagram to keep up to date with her work and find out more about the exhibition.