THE ESSENCE OF TREES

(Kim Wessels, "Lifetime", oil on canvas)

Running in the Middle Gallery of artSPACE durban is an exhibition by Kim Wessels titled The Essence of Trees.

Kim Wessels was born in the UK in 1957 and moved to South Africa in 1969. She lives in Hillcrest where she has her studio. She is married and has two children. One of her highlights during her working career was her time spent at The Everard Read Gallery in Johannesburg where her interest in art was ignited.

Wessels works predominantly in the medium of oil painting, but has a great love for printmaking. From 2005 to 2007 she attended UKZN Pietermaritzburg where she studied practical subjects on a non-degree basis and was awarded a Certificate of Merit in Printmaking. Since that time she has attended classes with Maggie Strachan and Pascale Chandler and is currently with Dee Donaldson.

She has exhibited and sold artworks at artSPACE Durban - Affordable Art Fair, and The Longmynd Gallery.

Her current exhibition The Essence of Trees is a testimony of her deep love, respect and concern for nature.

She explains why she paints trees: “I am constantly striving to portray the essence of the tree, and enjoy the challenge of captivating various perspectives. My aim is to entice the observer to ‘step inside’ my paintings for a while and sense the sound, smell and feel of a beautiful forest ….and is part of an ongoing journey to find simple methods of capturing the essence without painting the obvious. I keep my camera close to me on my travels, constantly photographing trees that I feel an empathetic connection to. Working from these photos enables me to tap into the essence that I am constantly searching for. “

The Essence of Trees runs until August 29. artSPACE durban is situated at 3 Millar Road (off Umgeni Road) close to the Waste Centre. More information on 031 312 0793 or visit www.artspacedurban.co.za or www.artspacedurban.blogspot.com