There is a famous saying stating that real life and art happen on the street, and Thys Kotzé, owner of Colin Wells Framing, cannot agree more.
Kotzé and his family have lived in Richmond Hill for four years, and recently he’s moved his framing business onto Stanley Street.
Being an architect, computational and furniture designer, Kotzé knows about perspective, finding the balance and working with space.
His shop is indeed an inviting place, aesthetically pleasing, and without any doubt as to the efficiency and functionality of it.
With couches lining one wall, a display wall filled with a hugely interesting array of eclectic framed items, and the workshop that fills the rest of the shop as a natural extension of the entrance, this is a place where one feels instantly welcomed.
Kotzé has an open-door policy in every sense of the word. Opening his doors to, and being part of life on the streets where he works and lives, are characteristic of Kotzé’s lifestyle and the way in which he views the world, and forms relationships with those around him.
Despite the daily challenges we face on the streets of our city, Kotzé sees the streets and sidewalks as no better place than to interact with people from all walks of life.
“We actually are each other’s security,” he mentions.
“When looking to buy a house in Gqeberha, we were looking for an area that was similar to the Bo-Kaap, where you live next to the sidewalk, a place where you know your neighbours. If it wasn’t for them we would’ve struggled to survive Covid.
“We love the fact that we know the people in our neighbourhood and that we are not hiding behind six foot walls.”
In the light of his words, it comes as no surprise that the client interaction, and collaboration with local artists and other framers, are what Kotzé finds most fulfilling about his job.
His favourite material for framing is aluminium.
“I love its minimalist quality.”
Versatile, clean-cut; a bit like Kotzé, candid and sincere.
“Sometimes customers need a frame to enhance the art. Other times the frame needs to serve as a platform for the art, so that the art can speak for itself. It is quite subjective but the frame, as a vessel for its contents, and the art must always speak to each other.”
What excites him most is well thought-through solutions.
“I love designs that really work, even though you can’t necessarily see them. Figuring out new, different ways of doing things, continues to motivate me.”
Having spent a large part of his childhood in a library, Kotzé enjoys being surrounded by creative people.
His thoughts on the intricacies of daily life find their way into the art he produces himself, as a means of social commentary.
A pixel art logo, featuring the face of Colin Wells himself and designed by local artist, Pixel Monster, welcomes customers as they enter.
Colin Wells owned the business from 1998 until 2022, when Kotzé took over.
Having come to know Wells through the years was a humbling experience for Kotzé.
He values the wealth of knowledge, experience and insight that Wells has always been willing to share, not only about various aspects of the business but also general advice about life.
“I am a great believer in taking one’s time to ask older people questions, to listen to the life lessons they’ve learned and the insight they’ve gained during the course of their lives.
“Colin and I have a very similar sense of humour and we speak on a weekly basis.”
As I contemplate Kotzé’s words, my attention is once again drawn to the display wall with its delightful collection of framed objects.
In the spaces between the frames, and the gaps between the frames and its contents, run what, in design, they call white space.
In those seemingly empty spaces I sense the importance of lasting relationships, a willingness to learn from others and to continue their legacy, while simultaneously following one’s own path.
How we can all contribute to creating a sense of unity through daily connection.
The result perhaps is invisible at first glance, but is a well-proportioned, functional design in the making.
