Fine Art at Bosjes

bosjes
Work by Lara Kruger Nieuwenhuis, Elbé Coetsee and Liesbet Nkoadi.

PHOTOS Jan Ras WORDS Amelia Brown


Three collaborative artworks capture the magnificent Bosjes destination near Worcester.

In celebration of the recent developments at Bosjes, which include a boutique hotel, restaurant and chapel, the owners of the farm tasked interior designer Liam Mooney with creating textile art for the hotel bedrooms. He collaborated with Elbé Coetsee, the founder of Mogalakwena Craft Art Gallery, Village and Research Centre.

Fine artists Daniella Mooney, Hanien Conradie and Lara Kruger Nieuwenhuis were commissioned to visit Bosjes and visually translate their experience. They worked with Elbé on their proposals and she in turn consulted with the beaders and embroiderers of Mogalakwena as to how to interpret the artworks.

Daniella was inspired by the shapes and colours of rock formations. Elbé proposed a linen hand-dyed backing cloth, and the design was created in dense chain-stitch embroidery.

bosjes

Work by Daniella Mooney, Elbé Coetsee and Sina Serope. Beneath it are Clementina van der Walt ceramics.

Hanien focused on a critically endangered protea species that grows in the area. Elbé and Esther Makgato used a selection of colours and textures to interpret the piece.

Work by Hanien Conradie, Elbé Coetsee and Esther Makgato.

Lara proposed a geographical map of the newly landscaped terrain. Elbé and Liesbet Nkoadi interpreted Lara’s water colour painting by layering fabrics from Elbe’s collection. Embroidery and appliqué add texture.

Work by Lara Kruger Nieuwenhuis, Elbé Coetsee and Liesbet Nkoadi.

Haven’t visited Bosjes yet? Read all about this striking farm, here.