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By Andries Loots 26 March 2000 |
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Gregoire Boonzaier ( 1909 - ) |
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Born 1909 Newlands, Cape
Town.
A painter of landscapes, portraits, still life, seascapes and figures. Works in oil, waterclolour, ink, wash, pencil and charcoal. A graphic artist, producing Linocuts.Studies: |
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Profile: Gregoire is the son of the late DC Boonzaier, also an artist and he therefore had early contact with other artists like of Pieter Wenning, Moses Kottler and Anton Van Wouw who visited his father's house. Moses Kottler gave him a box of paints and this set him on the way of becoming one of South Africa's most renowned artists. His father opposed any formal training and believed that he should learn only from the various practicing artists around him. In 1932 he set up his own studio in Cape town and in 1934 financed a trip to England from a very successful exhibition. In 1937 he returned to South Africa where he became the founding member of the New Group. He was the Chairman for a decade and for six years he represented the Cape Town SAAA on the Board of the South African National Gallery, Cape Town. He did a limited edition print of six watercolours and ink drawings of District Six, Cape Town. He visited Venice and this inspired some of his works. Exhibitions: 1936 Royal Academy, Empire Exhibition, Johannesburg 1938 First New Group Exhibition, Cape Town 1948 Tate Gallery, London, South African Art Exhibition 1952 Van Riebeeck Exhibition, Cape Town 1966 Republic Exhibition, Pretoria 1978 Prestige Exhibition Pretoria Art Museum 1981 Prestige Exhibition, University of Potchefstroom 1989 Kunskamer CT, Schweickerdt art gallery PTA, University of Pretoria 1993 Onrus gallery 1994 University of Stellenbosch Sasol Art Museum 1995 University of Pretoria 1997 Stellenbosch art Gallery Award 1958 Medal of Honour of the Suid Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns.Represented: |
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| An Early work 1925 | A work dated 1944 coming up at Christies Auction, London |
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His most valuable contribution to
South African art was
his effort as Chairman of the New Group during the years when South Africa's
younger artists needed an energetic and progressive spokesman. Another highlight of Boonzaier's career was his teaching mission in the countryside. He has earned his living solely from his art since boyhood. His rejection then and in his early adult years of the academism which beleagued South African painting resulted in his admiration for the almost revolutionary approach of Pieter Wenning. The influence of the latter's work together with subtle influences from the work of van Gogh, Utrillo, Braque and Christopher Wood contributed to the early development of a personal style. This style was fresh and new for the Thirties. It was also well received by South African viewers because it contained few visual shocks and was supported by sensitive and knowledgeable skill. Gregoire has produced consistently during the last 75 years, developing along the Cape impressionistic style and his work is well established at auction, both in South Africa and abroad (Christies). He exhibited in the Tate gallery in London in 1948. He is represented in most major collections and there are quite a few publications on his life and work. |
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| District 6 1968 | Still life 1954 |
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The
Dictionary of South African Painters and Sculptors, Grania Oglivie,
Published Everard, ISBN 0 620 12663 9 Art & Artists of South Africa, Esme Berman, ISBN 1 86812 345 6 |
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