Russian-themed party for Barry’s 80th birthday
Barry de Villier's house in Parkrand and his studio in Market Street bear witness to years of dedication to the art scene, and those with a trained eye will know that his work are not merely pretty pictures on a canvas, but he is the embodiment of art and all that art should stand for.
Local artist Barry de Villiers celebrated his 80th birthday in fine Russian style at Frida’s Coffee Bar in Germiston on March 10.
It was a celebration of red and black to reflect his love for all things Russian.
Two years ago, when celebrating his 78th birthday, de Villiers celebrated his birthday for the first time at the same venue with a long-awaited Russian-inspired event.
So, all dressed in the colours of the land to the north, friends and families gathered to make the day special for de Villiers, who is a born-and-bred Boksburger.
De Villiers attended Martin Primary School and Boksburg High.
After matriculating, de Villiers enrolled at the Johannesburg School of the Arts where he attained a national teachers diploma. He started his artistic career teaching art at various high schools.
De Villiers has attained international recognition, which includes one-man shows at Galleria Cittadella in Rome, Nastasia Gallery in Athens and The Ibis Gallery in London.
During the Boksburg Centenary Festival Project, the City of Boksburg held a Barry de Villiers retrospective exhibition titled Painting 1957-1987.
The Boksburg Art Gallery in the Boksburg Civic Centre’s library complex is named the Barry de Villiers Art Gallery in his honour.
In 1994, Barry received a gold medal of honour from the Boksburg City Council for recognition as an outstanding citizen of Boksburg.
In 2004, Barry was awarded the Ekurhuleni Mayoral Achievers Award Trophy for his significant contribution towards the visual arts, not only for his personal achievements, but also for his social responsibility.
Micha Hannemann, manager of Visual Arts and Crafts, City of Ekurhuleni, wished de Villiers a happy birthday, saying he is a legend.
“He is one of the kindest, gentlest and most giving people I have ever come across,” she said.
“He is both an artist and a teacher. His whole life he has been actively involved in his community, creating opportunities for other artists to work, learn and compete.
“For many years, he has organised art competitions for scholars, art exhibitions for adults and children alike. He has also arranged exhibitions and studio space for artists from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“Culturally well-rounded, his interests stretch to other art forms, such as photography, theatre, ballet, architecture, cinema and the decorative arts.”
Over the years, de Villiers has remained a favourite among entertainers such as lyricist and poet Koos van der Merwe from the group Prophet.
One of the works that de Villiers produced in recent years, as commissioned by van der Merwe, was an imaginative landscape of the Garden of Gethsemane.
De Villiers, who regarded the garden scene as one of his best works, also completed a painting commissioned by Elvis Blue.
However, this artist doesn’t blow his own horn, he keeps on teaching diligently at the Art Centre and paints without seeking fame.
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