THIS year marks the Year of the Horse, according to the Chinese calendar. In honour of this, the Elizabeth Gordon Gallery on Florida Road is hosting an exhibition of works in a variety of media by 18 artists.
Ceramicist Carol Hayward Fell organised the exhibition because she has always had a fascination with horses. She shares: “Intricate sculptures like mine are better seen in a cleaner setting and need to be displayed at a decent height, where they can be seen individually.
“So, as I’ve always had a strong affinity with painting, I decided the ideal situation would be to exhibit with painters. I also wanted to have my work as the only 3D art, so all I had to do was find a group of painters to exhibit drawings and paintings with me.”
And that’s how the idea of the exhibition was born.
“I realised that as 2014 was the Chinese year of the horse, the concept might become a reality. I started thinking about the idea of a joint horse-themed exhibition, with paintings and drawings by many artists. I would be the only artist with 3D work.
“I approached the Elizabeth Gordon Gallery owner with the plan of an exhibition called The Year of the Horse and received a positive response. I wanted to be the only person with 3D work to keep things uncluttered; the other artists would have all the walls.”
Speaking about the exhibition’s 18 artists, she says they are some of the best in Durban with Andrew Verster and Pascale Chandler as the shining stars: “I thought it would be far more interesting to choose artists who painted well, not specifically trying to invite artists who painted horses well. This way, I felt sure we would get something fresh and unique, as opposed to a whole load of slick horse paintings. A gallery of safe realistic paintings of racehorses would also look out of place with my sculptures which are whimsical and non-realistic.
“As it is, the 18 other exhibitors have produced wildly varied work and it is a feast for the eye.”
“The artists’ techniques range from exciting, loose, gestural drawings and paintings to meticulously detailed works, thick, brightly-painted horses to subtle and smoothly-painted works – and much more.
“The subject matter also varies enormously, from serious subjects to whimsical flights of fancy, close-up details of horses, horses in action, horse groups, polo and race horses. Some paintings deal with serious issues concerning the treatment of horses, another pokes fun at President Zuma.I am the main exhibitor, with several of my ceramic horse sculptures standing on individual plinths. All my sculptures are handmade,” she says.
• The exhibition runs until Saturday. Call 031 303 8133.