KNYSNA NEWS - Despite the fact that it was pouring and there was loadshedding scheduled, staunch art enthusiasts attended the exhibition at the quaint Art on Queen gallery last Wednesday.

The gallery's very first exhibition on 20 March was also artist Tonya Laure-Smith's inaugural show entitled "Introspective Doodles" – a combination of mixed media works ranging from pastel and acrylics to collages.

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Gallery owner Helena Gerber said the gallery used to be the home of artist Helen Conradie and that the exhibition was also a tribute to her. "We intend to keep this gallery looking like a home because I want the artists to feel safe with their art and without judgement – that is how homes always feel, warm and safe," she said.

She extended an invite to all artists who wish to use her venue for possible exhibitions in future.

A well-known figure in Knysna art circles but relatively unknown as an artist, Laure-Smith said it is compulsion and a bad case of "OCD" (obsessive compulsive disorder) that brought about her works. "I'm compelled to, I love it and I love my own company. It is a creative outlet, after being sick and not being able to work for six, seven years, the June 2017 fire was a huge turning point for me."

There was also a draw with one of Laure-Smith's untitled paintings up for grabs. "Sometimes you feel ready to part ways with stuff," she said about the work that became the new property of lucky art lover Gerda Smith. The exhibition runs until 3 April.

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