Pub serves up art

Two local artists were the stars of the evening at the launch of the first-ever art exhibition at Off the Grid in Paulshof on 30 April.

Graphic designer Bren Govender and Claudia Raff, who works in advertising, were overwhelmed by the number of people at the exhibition that ran from 30 April to 2 May. Both Raff and Govender have been involved in art from a young age, with Govender pursuing painting and Raff practising the art of mosaic.

Before art, Govender and Raff started working together in the business world a few years ago, and found they had a similar approach to what they do. Since then, their friendship grew as they saw a number of factors within their work, in busininess and in art, that were similar.

Both said they have a number of goals in their growing art career. Govender said she hopes people see her through her art pieces. “I’ve always had other things going on, but now I’m ready to say something based on things that are relevant now [more] than they were 20 years ago. I have more life experience now and the journey I’ve lived, I’d like to show the world,” she said.

Raff, who was exhibiting her art for the first time, said she wants to continue surprising people with her work.

Co-owner of Off the Grid pub, Albert Gumbo said the pub’s philosophy is to help emerging artists, singers and comedians grow. He believes there is a lot of support for the arts. “I met Claudia [Raff] and her mother when she was admiring a piece of mosaic artwork near the pub. Her mother told me her daughter is an artist. After looking through the various pieces she had done, on her phone, I asked if she’s like to exhibit her work here. She had never exhibited before, so we gave her a chance,” he said.

Gumbo added that musicians perform at the pub every Sunday, and comedians perform every second Tuesday – there is also a possibility that exhibitions will be held either bi-annually or every quarter.

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