Breaking through the creative block

Gallery

KNYSNA NEWS - Following on from its successful inaugural UnBlocked 2022 exhibition, the Knysna Art Society will be unveiling a new UnBlocked exhibition next month with a central 'Monochrome' theme.

Last year's UnBlocked exhibition was put on show at the Old Gaol and followed a 'Fifty Shades of Green' theme. While the upcoming exhibition will once again run its course at the Old Gaol, there will be a distinct lack of green.

Artists had to come up with creations under a 'Monochrome' theme, and were encouraged to create art using any medium. There were no limits (other than their canvas size) and the artists could go wild.

According to Knysna Art Society (KAS) Secretary Nina Malan, there was very specific reasoning behind choosing the Monochrome theme.

"The theme was chosen to create a striking variety within the greater exhibition whilst in the individual, to encourage creativity in the limitation of combinations containing only tones or a hue of a colour. Allowing mixed media lends the artworks to more variations and will certainly enable distinctive pieces," she said.

PHOTO GALLERY: Monochrome is the theme for artwork this year

A variety of local artists are taking part, including Robert Leggat (sculptor), Lyn Beaton (artist), Gary Davis (charcoal artist) and Nanna Joubert (horticulturalist and artist) to name but a few. The participating artists all reside within the Garden Route area, perhaps more so in Knysna.

A piece created by Gretha Helberg.

Final works are to be handed in at the Old Gaol this week where Gary Davis is in charge of operations for the exhibition preparation. KAS will host a grand opening on 30 June, attended by invite only, whereafter the exhibition will run for two weeks, ending on 14 July.

The Old Gaol Gallery hours are from 10:00 to 15:00, Monday to Saturday.

"The Society has thus far tried to create platforms for all types of artists to showcase their work, to develop their skills as well as to inspire the community.

"We try to promote the arts through all the avenues we have such as social media, events, exhibitions, artists visits once a month, competitions, physical installations and much more," Malan explained.

"Our endeavour is to connect more communities to the beauty of the arts by engaging them to see and feel our associations with all elements in life; nature, fellow humans, technology and materials, to name a few. Art is after all something which triggers your imagination, something we all need all the time."

One of Jen Miller's artworks.