Knysna history needs rewriting, says artist

KNYSNA NEWS - Stanley Grootboom, one of Knysna’s many local artists, officially opened his pop-up gallery at Woodmill Lane shopping centre.

The Stanley Grootboom art gallery is at Shop 4 in the centre and showcases pieces by the artist, whose work epitomises and tells a story about the Khoisan people.

The gallery was officially opened on Tuesday 28 November.

Among the guests who attended the opening night was Iodene January, who was the principal at Knysna Secondary School during Grootboom’s time there 25 years ago.

January said, “Some people might say for one to be an artist one learns from the brushstrokes but I am of a different opinion, I believe it all lies in the eye and one is born an artist.”

Reflecting on early memories of Grootboom, he commended the artist's family who made so many sacrifices for him.

“Wherever his parents are, they must be very proud of him,” said January.

Grootboom also took to the stage and shared a few words. He said his works focus on telling a story about the history of the Khoisan nation.

A book by Stanley Grootboom was also on display during the opening night of the artist's latest exhibition, on Tuesday, 28 November. Photos: Supplied

“When we’re telling the history of the town, it is important that we also acknowledge that Khoisan people were the first people in this town and we need to tell of our indigenous history.

"The history of this town needs to be rewritten and there needs to be a mention of what happened before the recorded precolonial history.”

One of his sponsors, Devon Touhey from Face Adrenalin, said, “Stanley is a brilliant artist with amazing qualities and has incredible tenacity.

"Every picture in here conveys a message, whether it is of events that happened much earlier in life or now, but each one tells a vivid story and I applaud him.

"The world needs to know about the stories told by these works. He is creating a legacy with his brush and tells stories that so many are scared to tell. Well done, man.”

Stanley Grootboom hands a painting by the late Ninah-Ann Arendse to her mother Lu-Ann Arendse, during his exhibition opening on 28 November.

During the evening Grootboom also handed out a painting by Ninah-Ann Arendse, who passed away earlier this year in an accident.

Arendse used to attend Grootboom’s art school, and the painting was handed to her very emotional mother, Lu-Ann Arendse, who said, “I didn’t expect this. Ninah enjoyed art, this would mean a lot to her, it means a lot to me.