-
The People's Painter : "The Chinese Girl" is often referred to as South Africa's Mona Lisa. Although Tretchikoff lived and worked in China this painting was done in Cape Town. -
The People's Painter : "The Lost Orchid" resides in many South African homes as prints. The teardrop next to the flower is consistent with the artist's belief that flowers are capable of feelings and even simple emotions. -
The People's Painter : "Dying Swan" by Tretchikoff.
WORDS: Remy Raitt | PHOTOS: Carine Visagie
No matter if you’re an art aficionado or not, the new Tretchikoff: The People’s Painter exhibition at the Iziko National Gallery in Cape Town is a must-see for every South African.
The important exhibition shows the life and work of Vladimir Tretchikoff as we’ve never seen him before.
Over his career, Tretchikoff was critised for producing work that was “garish” and “kitsch”. But, according to curator Andrew Lamprecht, this exhibition is the perfect opportunity for South Africans to decide for themselves. “Most people have never seen an original work,” Andrew says. “Now they can come and assess his art.”
This exhibition is a significant return to the Cape for the Russian-born artist who spent over 60 years of his life in South Africa before passing away in 2006. “He came to South Africa in 1946 and made Cape Town his home,” Andrew says. “He loved the fauna, flora and people of the country. He really was a South African at heart but he was never really recognised here. So this really is a homecoming for Tretchikoff.”
This celebration of an extraordinary artist treats visitors to a one-on-one interaction with his original paintings, sketches and unfinished pieces. This is in large part thanks to fashion designer Marianne Fassler, who sparked the idea for the exhibition, notes Tretchikoff’s granddaughter Natasha Swift. Marianne is an ardent Tretchikoff admirer and has been inspired by him in her own work.
80 Tretchikoff works on display
Three years of planning and hours of research later, The Tretchikoff Foundation, under the leadership of Natasha, tracked down 100 original works of which 80 are on display at the gallery. The exhibition includes more than just artwork, which adds an extra element to the experience. The sketches, unfinished pieces, photographs of the artist, documents and press clippings on display talk of the artist, his working methods and his journey towards becoming one of the most popular artists of his time.
“He really did have an interesting life, and this exhibition shows the legacy of the work and the man behind it all,” Natasha says. Her grandfather’s passion to be world famous was never dampened when he was critisised, and the record attendances behind his numerous exhibitions prove that he succeeded in his goal.
A chance to see the original “Chinese Girl” and “Lost Orchid” up-close evokes a whirlwind of emotions. When viewed among a bevy of lesser known, but no less beautiful pieces, the impact of the experience is even greater.
For more information, visit www.iziko.org.za or www.vladimirtretchikoff.com.
