COMPETITION and GALLERY: Art and literature coincide
MELVILLE – A dual art exhibition and book launch was hosted at Upstairs@bamboo featuring the works of Flip and Roela Hattingh.
Upstairs@Bamboo recently hosted a dual art exhibition and book launch of artists Roela and Flip Hattingh. The event featured the latests works of Flip’s art exhibition entitled, Oumensvissie, (directly translated to old-person-fish) which visually investigated the hang-ups of aging, while Roela’s book launch focuses on her debut short-story collection entitled Kamee (cameo). The 24 stories in this collection address central themes such as loss, estrangement, love and desire, revenge and the human condition.
Flip explained the inspiration of the fish motive behind his new set of art works. “I love art, and in this case I discovered that aging is not something I do excessively well, and that mortality is much more of a presence at present than it used to be a number of years ago. So fish – aging fish, fish out of water; fish with only a smidgen of life left – once it leaves the water it needs a bubble of air to keep going for another while,” he said.
Roela briefly explained the content behind her latest book. “I was especially interested in female experiences and femininity as theme: as such, the different stories often feature women as narrators and protagonists. The title – Afrikaans for cameo – symbolises loss, memory and permanence. A valuable addition to short-story writing in Afrikaans,” she said.
Roela was very humbled by the large turnout of guests at the dual exhibition and book launch. “I am extremely thrilled to be able to put my work out there alongside Flip’s magnificent artwork”, she said.
Speakers at the event featured well-known artist Kevin Collins and writer Deborah Steinmair. Both speakers spoke about their friendships with the two artists. Collins described these events as a wonderful opportunity for the public to engage with art, “I always believe that we can teach people to read, add meaning through visual arts and literature at these events”, he said.
While Steinmair spoke fondly of Roela Hattingh’s capacity as a writer to create believable and relatable characters. “I am always amazed and pleasantly surprised at the outstanding quality of Roela’s work,” she said.
The exhibition opened on 6 April and will run up until 13 of April.
Roela Hattingh is giving away a signed copy of her latest book Kamee. In order to enter, please send through where the book launch was held, to the following email address sammib@caxton.co.za. Make sure to include your answer, your name, surname, suburb, and contact number. Competition ends 21 April.
