KNYSNA NEWS - A renowned local author and artist from Knysna, Stanley Grootboom, recently unveiled his latest exhibition, Our Living Heritage, at the Old Gaol Museum.
The opening drew an enthusiastic crowd of art lovers, cultural ambassadors, and community members eager to experience his body of work.
The exhibition highlights Grootboom's commitment to preserving South Africa's indigenous history, particularly the cultural heritage of the Khoi and San peoples.
Central to the showcase is his acclaimed interactive book installation, South African Gelieblik Stories and Songs.
This one-of-a-kind piece has earned national and international recognition, previously exhibited at the North-West University Art Gallery and featured in the arts research project "In Search of Creative Creatures: Reflective Conversations".
Its academic significance was further cemented when Prof Franci Greyling published a scholarly article on the installation in the South African Journal of Art History.
It later formed part of the prestigious International Booknesses Colloquium, where it was shown alongside works by William Kentridge and other celebrated artists.
Visitors to the exhibition are also treated to a glimpse of Grootboom's powerful artwork The Battle, currently housed at the Koena Art Institute at the Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town.
The work has travelled internationally as well, appearing at the University of Surrey during its renowned global tourism conference.
Grootboom's pieces are known for their emotional depth and thought-provoking commentary, often addressing themes of indigenous identity, cultural loss, and the preservation of oral histories.
Some of Stanley Grootboom's art pieces currently on display at the Old Gaol Museum.
A significant portion of Our Living Heritage is dedicated to documenting vanishing villages - rural communities whose traditions and ways of life are rapidly disappearing.
Through detailed visual storytelling, Grootboom captures everyday moments and landscapes, ensuring these narratives are preserved for future generations.
Grootboom is also celebrated for his contributions to indigenous literature. He is the author and illustrator of the storybook Tiqua the Great Warrior, and the illustrator of Tortoise and Ostrich, written by Katrina Esau, the last fluent speaker of the Nuu language. Both books are published by David Philip Publishers (New Africa Books).
Adding depth to this year's showcase, Grootboom included works by fellow artists Anthony Roach, Marlene Liebenberg, Gatsby Mpoyi, Zoe Fick and Donald Hartzenberg as part of his ongoing art outreach programme, which aims to uplift emerging talent and expand community access to the arts.
The exhibition is currently open to the public at the Old Gaol Museum in Knysna.
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