To be crowned winner of the 2024 ARTi Gallery Art Competition is a great achievement for Sebastiaan Theart.
The Vredenburg resident really took this year’s theme, “Rainbow Renaissance: From Baroque to Braai”, to heart and made it his own. Artists were asked to Africanise a classic artwork with a South African twist, and Theart took it to a whole unique level.
With about a year to finish his art piece, he thought of and worked through various concepts, which led him to his masterpiece named “Brandewyn Brille” (Brandy Goggles). “I knew realism and classic artwork were my strong point, but because I had entered so many competitions I realised many others will also do realism art and the same concept. I knew I had to create something that was outside the box, something that will let a bypasser stop in his tracks.”
Theart came up with the concept of a 3D-type artwork. The creative piece consists of two meshed paintings alongside a custom 3D plexiglass Africa sculpture consisting of two lenses in the colours red and blue.
This brilliant work allows exhibition visitors to have their own personal interaction with the art. Looking through the red lens one can see a self portrait of Theart and when looking through the blue lens one can see the Dutch painter Rembrandt.
The dual art piece celebrates the Afrikaner culture of braai and that there is more to it than meets the eye. Being the winner is a proud moment for Theart.
“It was a virtual gala and we watched as they counted down to the top 25. Not hearing your name every time was quite suspenseful. But when I heard I had won it was like a weight off my shoulders and a relief because you worked so hard.”
A testament to his hard work and creative eye, the art piece was sold on the same day as the announcement was made for R36 000.
Theart’s love for creativity is something he kept going as a child. He explained that all children are born with creativity, whether it be dance, drawing or singing, but as we got older we seem to lose that. This was, however, not the case for Theart.
“As a young child, while others were socialising I sat and worked on my sketchbook. Born in Namibia, I was surrounded by nature and wildlife so I examined everything closely. I think as a young child the language of art is something I understood very well.”
It was only at the age of about 22 when Theart studied graphic design at the Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography and realised that it is not just a hobby, but it can be a career, something he turned into a passion and way of life.
This passion he wants to share with other artists and wants to inspire, teach and motivate them that they too can make it in the world of art. His plan is to create a safe haven and to have his own permanent studio where he can create an academy where artists can gather and create magic.
