(Mervyn McMurtry and
some of his works on the exhibition)
Art on Kingsway has been going for over two years and only recently
begun showcasing a new artist each month. The pop up Art Gallery is Art on
Kingsway in Amanzimtoti. In the past, in addition to the artworks of the local
artists, the works of the Fibreworkx Artists of KZN have featured, as have the
landscape photographs of local veterinarian, Eugene van Heerden.
“This February celebrates the paintings of well-known theatre
personality, Mervyn McMurtry. He has been able to focus on his art in a far
more concentrated way since his retirement from academia, as his work shows. There
are about 30 pieces on show, some of which are small companion pieces. But he
doesn’t disappoint with size – there are two really big paintings, each of which
is worth the trip alone. This reviewer was particularly struck by Pool, Autumn, Kamberg, one of the large
works, which is deceptively simple at first but which intrigues with its many
layers of imagery and meaning,” says reviewer, Brenda Pratt
The launch was held on February 2, where McMurtry held a walkabout. It
was attended by an interested crowd of artists and friends who enjoyed his
amiable and informative address. The immediate appeal of his work was
demonstrated in the sale of eight of his paintings within the first hour of the
event. The organisers anticipate a very successful month!
“Taken from Waiting for Godot,
McMurtry uses the theme of ‘The light gleams. . . .’ to capture the moment when
objects or people are at their shining best, and yet contained within that
moment of perfection there is inherent death and decay. This theme is
particularly well realised in his portraits of three of the actors who play
characters in the award-winning musical Camelot
for which McMurtry was assistant director. Each of them momentarily holds the
light of humanity within them before it fades,” adds Pratt.
Art on Kingsway is up a short flight of stairs at Toti Oasis, a Caltex
Garage in Kingsway (Andrew Zondo) Road. Travel south on the N2. Take the glide
off to the left when Galleria is on your right, and choose the R102 fork in the
road. Travel about 2 kms south and you
will find it on your left. There is
parking and good coffee downstairs.
For more information contact 082 824 7990
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