The opening night for the exhibition took place at the Stephen Weltz & Co. Studio on 1 October.
Roelofsen is recognised as a master of colour slides. Rachel Briant from the studio said Roelofsen’s slides were internationally celebrated during the early 1970s. “Roelofsen is a world famous South African photographer who has been a non-entity to most South Africans, that is, until now,” added Briant.
She said Roelofsen has received over 600 salon acceptances, 56 awards and 33 gold medals from all over the world.
“This is his first public viewing in 40 years,” said Roelofsen’s son, Hans. “This really is a dream come true.”
Hans and his wife, Michelle, were instrumental in the occurrence of the exhibition. Roelofsen’s daughter, Erry Nel, said the exhibition was the first time her father’s work had been printed. “It only ever existed in slide format,” she added.
Nel and Hans are also prominent features in their father’s colour slides.
“He is too frail to make it here today,” said Marjo Jacobs, Roelofsen’s youngest daughter. “He would be very honoured.”
Roelofsen is currently living and being cared for in Cape Town.
