KNYSNA NEWS - The fifty black-and-white woodcuts and their corresponding vividly painted woodblocks make up a large body of work that will be exhibited for the first time at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival from June 29 to July 9.
Guy Thesen has exhibited solo shows twice before at the festival, in 2013 and 2015.
This current work was all initially influenced by the books of Alice A Bailey regarding esoteric study and contemplation.
“My work explores the subtle inner reality and awareness of what it is to be human within the real confines of a physical body, subject to the laws of the material world manifest around us.
The theme of my images explores many aspects of our common humanity such as our purpose, meaning and ultimate destiny.
Questions like, is there a benevolent subjective force guiding us towards a basic purpose, or are we a fortuitous one-off incident in a vast uncaring universe?
Are we maybe not in some way in a gradual spiritual evolution towards an eventual common destination beyond our current mental comprehension, yet unbroken within a continuation of individual consciousness in both states known as "life" and "death"?
More about Guy
Guy was born 1961 in Knysna. In 1986 he studied at Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town.
Thereafter, Guy worked as a graphic designer for two years in Johannesburg before working in the Timbivati as a ranger at Ngala Game lodge, Mpumalanga. In 1990 he and his wife Jo-Ann returned to Knysna to assist in running a family farm, Buffalo Valley Bush Lodges.
He was Oakhill School’s founder art teacher (1992 to 1997). Since then he has been involved in local conservation ventures and now practises his art full-time. He is extremely versatile in his skills and has worked in most media such as painting, printmaking, sculpture and mixed media.
Since 1980 Guy has participated in numerous group exhibitions and seven solo exhibitions locally, nationally and internationally. His work is in major collections, including the Rupert Collection.
Where: Fort Selwyn, Grahamstown
When: July 29 to July 9
Times: 09:00 to 17:00 daily
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