Art curator Natalie Knight discusses her latest book
SANDTON – Curator Natalie Knight discussed her latest book about her life and work at a Morning of Art at Investec.
Art lovers and members of the South African Friends of Israel Museum, Jerusalem, joined together at Investec for a morning of art with well-known curator, collector, researcher and documenter Natalie Knight.
Knight is best known locally as the founder of the Natalie Knight Gallery in Hyde Park (1981–1995) where she exhibited international art and promoted local artists, who have since been recognised.
At the event, Knight discussed her recently released ‘art-o-biography’ The Big Picture. The part memoir, part art history book is filled with art images, society photos and stories behind the pieces of art she has sold.
The book discusses Knight’s life as she rubbed shoulders with the well-known of the art world in her landmark gallery, and memories of the guts, glory and gossip of the international and South African art scene.
At the event, she discussed her journey into the world of art after working as a feature writer and attorney.
Knight went on to introduce the works of major international artists including Andy Warhol and David Hockney as well as exhibit the works of South African artists including William Kentridge, Willem Boshoff, Ester Mahlangu and Alfred Thoba before they became famous.
Group facilities manager at Investec, Craig Gunnell said Investec was honoured to host the event, which also discussed the artwork on display at Investec.
Johannesburg chairperson of the South African Friends of Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Della Berkowitz said she was excited to welcome Knight, winner of the MIW Lifetime Achiever Award for Africa in 2014 for contributions to art and culture, to the society’s first 2018 event.
Berkowitz said the NPO supports the Israel Museum in Jerusalem and their programmes which reach out to the community. Half of the funds raised by the NPO through membership and fundraising will stay in South Africa to support local art and artists, while the other half will go to the youth wing in Jerusalem.
Susan Woolf, who attended the event said, “I came to hear Natalie’s talk on her book and to hear what she says about the works of art at Investec. She has been my curator and an inspiration to me. She is well known, phenomenal and energetic and yet remains so humble.”
Details: To learn more about South African Friends of Israel Museum, Jerusalem, visit www.safim.co.za
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