LOIS KUHLE gets caught up in 2010 fever
Ian van Zyl’s passion for wildlife knows no boundaries. His art is dynamic and unforgettable, and probably one of the biggest exports from the Umhlanga Ridge. He produces huge canvasses that depict wide open spaces of the African landscape, and with exquisite detail gives us a glimpse of majestic creatures that make our continent so unique.
It’s not surprising then, that Ian was commissioned by 2010 African Fine Art to produce a series of paintings.
Craig Mark, managing director of 2010 Fine Art, believes the Fifa World Cup is an opportunity to bring the world to Africa, and take Africa to the world – through art.
“A key concept underlying the 2010 African Fine Art Collection is to leverage the World Cup to provide artists from Africa with a global platform to exhibit, market and sell their work to an untapped international clientele base,” he said. “The project will further bolster one of the primary goals of the African Legacy Programme of the World Cup: to improve Africa’s global image and to combat Afro-pessimism – through the medium of art.”
Ian is one of 160 artists who have combined their creative talents into producing one exceptional international collection. They include sculptures, art photographs, paintings and etchings which are already available for acquisition.
Kizo Gallery in Gateway is Durban’s major exhibitor with originals on display and signed limited prints available for purchase.
When Ian was approached by Kizo for this project his primary objective was to combine wildlife with football.
“I wanted to create fun situations,” he told us from his studio in Umhlanga. “It was quite a challenge and I had to use lateral thinking as it’s quite difficult to put the two together. I used the objects – like balls and boots – rather than the game. I thought, ‘what would this animal do with a ball, or a pair of boots?’”
Ian has given fans a taste of Africa mixed with a passion for football as a priceless piece of memorabilia for this once in a lifetime experience.
Each painting has a significant title to enhance the picture.
World Cup Hatching has a football nesting among ostrich eggs; while a leopard cub sits playfully in Puss in Boots and Pitch Invasion is an aerial view of zebra on a soccer field.
“I especially wanted to use humour in my work,” explained Ian, “as it gets younger people interested in art, and more particularly in wildlife.”
He described the project an excellent platform to showcase the creative wealth of our continent.
Useful info: Visit Ian van Zyl’s studio/gallery at 4 Westridge Drive, off Umhlanga Rocks Drive. Telephone 031 561 1446 or visit www.ianvanzyl.com
2010 Fine Art: 021 448 5945 or www.2010fineart.com