KNYSNA NEWS - Ricardo van Lingen’s exhibition Aart Kruip, which makes bold statements about society and is outside the context of traditional art, is on at Avo Pomme in Woodmill Lane Shopping Centre until June.
The opening night was on Thursday 3 May and had art lovers marvel at Van Lingen's solo exhibition as well as a group exhibition at the premises.
Kim Gaylard, a speaker on the opening night, described Van Lingen as extremely courageous. “He always goes with his ideas, he’s passionate and will not be boxed. This is a brilliant project… He has a natural flow.”
She then went on to explain some of the elements that inspired the artist, such as the "going green" movement that he started with his partner Bernice Haman whom she described as amazing, to which van Lingen interjected “fabulous”.
Gaylard said the artist learnt a few truths about the environment which inspired the green in his works.
Selling works bit by bit
An interesting fact about Van Lingen's Aart Kruip is that the works can be purchased per square metre, meaning should a portion of a painting speak to you, there is a way to buy just the portion and not the entire piece.
Attendee Sheena Smith said Van Lingen doesn’t "do your contemporary art" and that she hopes the public would be open to giving something new a chance.
Guests mingle during the opening night on 3 May.
“His work is real –abstract but real – and contains all these profound tiny messages like, 'Don’t let her bleed out', which is very deep. He is a young artist and I think he is great. I like how he is finding his footing as an artist. He is obsessed with being naked and nudity as well as going green movement and his work is a reflection of that.”
Another attendee, Mwelase Mqhingwana, said, “Everyone is saying the artist is passionate about the going green movement and nudity and his work is evident of that – if that is not art, I don’t know what is.”
Some of the artists who are part of the group exhibition are Lelanie Mackintosh, Lynn Beaton, Beatrix Dijkstra and James Austin Murray.
A part of one of Ricardo van Lingen's art pieces currently on show.
Just in case you miss it when viewing Van Lingen's latest works, each piece features proof, so to speak, of his particular take on nudity. Go see for yourself to find out…
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