GABRIELLE RAAFF

'Realm' An Urban Enquiry. New works by Gabrielle Raaff and Lorenzo Nassimbeni at Salon 91. Opening 7th September at 7.30pm

2011-09-06T13:01:00.000-07:00

The show runs until the 1st of October.

This is a brand new body of paintings. The works are in watercolour and I have taken my obsession with rooftops to a new dizzy height. Join us for a glass of bubbly on the opening night or make sure you get to see the show before it comes down on the 1st.

'Realm' an urban enquiry....

Urban landscapes can reveal much about a community’s interior , and the emotions that drive the human beings that inhabit it.

People get scared, and people make themselves feel safe. Our houses keep out others and protect us from danger….. even from each other. We fear the other , but we easily get lonely. Neighbourhoods keep help close at hand and share out our risk. A community of private spaces, each an architectural edifice showing personal territory but accumulating to describe the community.

Satellite perspectives and high-rise buildings can elevate the voyeur to where the homogeneity of the quest for individualism is clear but also to where one can glimpse the entire face of the community.

In Realm I referenced actual neighbourhoods and sections of Cape Town, the paintings reach for a deeper abstraction hoping to reveal more intrinsic signs of community; compositions look at archetypal symbols of safety, cohesion and defense.

Gabrielle Raaff and Kobus La Grange Opening at Dorpstreet Gallery, Stellenbosch

2011-01-26T11:12:00.000-08:00

A brand new series of paintings plus a new year's splurge of colour just for a change.
I will be showing work with Kobus La Grange who makes beautiful figurative sculptures in found wood. It should be a good mix.

Please join us for a drink at the opening of our show 'Relation' at The Dorp Street Gallery in Stellenbosch on Saturday the 5th of Feb 2011 at 11am.
Unfortunately their website is a touch out of date! Their new address is Oude Bank, 10 Church Street (opp Vide e) tel 021 8872256

Exhibition runs until 28th Feb 2011.

Hope to see you there.

The Life of a Princess

2010-01-20T03:31:00.000-08:00

I have been soaking up the sun and the good good life at my parent's beach house in Kommetjie for the last month! Well I am growing a baby so I reckon I deserve it. My sweetheart is being a clever International artist and working out his residency in Basel Switzerland til early March. Visit his blog www.justinfiske.blogspot.com to see more. It'll be a tight squeeze but I am confident he will be home in time to help me bring our collaboration into the world.

I have one more group show which I will be making new work for but otherwise it is lots of rest and practising my pain relief breathing skills while standing in the icy Atlantic (a good suggestion from Ciska my midwife!)

I wish you all a splendid New Year.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-16T10:55:00.000-08:00

I have Snowflakes available in LED lighting.
They are pretty gorgeous all year round really!

It's that time of year again!

2009-12-01T11:52:00.000-08:00

Please join all of us at 8 Lytton Street for a drink to celebrate another successful year!

Google Earth Joburg

2009-10-07T09:40:00.000-07:00

In continuation of my earlier Dislocation series that were selected for Spier Contemporary 2008, I decided to make a series of more complex rooftop paintings of areas surrounding Nirox, like Brixton and Soweto that act as a stark comparison of the privilege of owning and working on this extent of land. I managed to complete 3 and am busy on the fourth painting of Houghton.

They are all watercolour on Fabriano.
If all goes well they may become part of the new BA First Class Lounge at Oliver Tambo Airport.
Hold thumbs!

And some in ink

2009-10-07T09:37:00.001-07:00

I hope to take these much further. They need to be large and wild.

Sprinklers and Hosepipes

2009-10-07T09:25:00.000-07:00

Finally I am posting some pics of the work I made at Nirox.

Nirox is a very beautiful garden wonderland. It struck me after the second morning I ambled down to my studio, that the estate is maintained by a squadron of men who constantly seem to be moving sprinklers, mowing the vast areas of lawn and raking the gravel paths.
It is a carefully considered and constructed environment that needs to be attended constantly.

I made 3 conte drawings on tissue paper which play with the traditional, romantic landscape sketch, the type that Constable may have made in preparation for his masterful paintings. Except that in these, the staff are present as shadowy figures lurking behind trees and pulling on hoses. Always present in the garden of a privileged South African.

A trip of nostalgia through a changed city

2009-09-17T23:54:00.000-07:00

Pauline, Toon's wife, grew up in Johannesburg but has lived in Holland (and for a short time at The Chelsea Hotel in New York!) since the late 70's. So it was with much nostalgia that we drove from Nirox through places like Randburg and Brixton on our way to Arts On Main to see the Kentridge Play. Josi is a whole lot different now. It is a truly African city, bustling with traders and balck business men and women. There is a lot of informal trading but the city is alive and busy.

Here is one of the Google Earth paintings I have done while at Nirox...of Brixton!

Kentridge in the Afternoon

2009-09-17T23:28:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday we were lucky enough to be invited by Benji to see the dress rehearsal of William Kentridge's play Voytjek, which is based on the well known existing play.

Kentridge, among others such as Rosenclaire, Kim Lieberman and Krut Publishers have studio space at the new Arts On Main Precinct in downtown Josi. It is a fantastic revival of an old car manufacturing plant from the 40's, hence the oldsmobile as mascot on top of the restaurant.

The play was great and held in Kentridge's studio.

Upstairs are the most magnificent and huge Kentridge tapestries done in collaboration with a group of women weavers.

Toon Verhoef who is currently artist in residence at Nirox will have an exhibtion at the Nirox Gallery space and will be doing a massive mural there in 3wks time.

We meandered through Randburg, Brixton and then over the Mandela Bridge which was a fascinating journey and perspective on the new reclaimed city of Johannesburg.

Wonder Cave.

2009-09-14T09:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon we took Toon and Pauline to the Rhino and Lion Reserve which is also home to the spectacular Wonder Cave. It is literally next door. These are the very lions we hear shouting at night. This marvel of nature is a cave which dates between 2.5 and 3 million years. It was discovered and then shortly afterwards, plundered, by the Italians in 1902. They lowered ropes down a hole in the cave and equipped only with skanky old lanterns, inefficient fireworks and pickaxes, proceeded to blast away at the limestone stalactites and mites. They brought the rock up to the surface and then baked it in ovens to form a powder which was then sold in Joburg for 50c a tonne!! This powder would be used to make soap and toothpaste etc. It took them 4yrs to realise that they were making no profit whatsoever and so abandoned their dubious endeavours.

We took a very quaint looking lift 20/30m down to the bottom of the cave and then a very typical South Efrican tour followed, peppered with a host of corny, sexually suggestive jokes.apparently the cave is the size of a rugby field...these are measurements South Africans can understand. The cave is spectacular, a most fantastic sight I can recommend visiting to anyone who doesn't mind walking the 120 steps back up to the car park.

Monkeylove.

2009-09-14T09:29:00.000-07:00

I suppose it is neither wise nor environmentally sustainable to feed organic cranberries form the Wellness Wharehouse to naughty, hungry little monkeys who congregate around my studio every day?!

We cruise into our second and final week at Nirox and the pressure has clearly set in. Justin is still out there in the twighlight zone dangling pebbles from trees. The sun sets pretty early at 5.45pm so one feels obliged to sprint home for a sundowner on the patio to witness the orange descending.

Bytes from Heaven

2009-09-10T04:51:00.000-07:00

Above is the view from our lounge looking out over the pond that Justin is making ripples on.

The sun sets straight into our eyeballs.

Our Humble Abode in the setting sun.

2009-09-09T11:03:00.000-07:00

We moved to the cottage on the weekend when the lovely Toon Verhoef and his wife arrived.

We aren't complaining as the sun sets right into our lounge.

Krugersdorp reaches dizzy heights.

2009-09-09T10:39:00.001-07:00

This is a work in progress. A watercolour of a piece of Krugersdorp which is the town we visit for supplies and general cultural voyeurism. I want to try and weave the Google shot of Nirox into this somehow.

At the moment I am working on some landscape paintings that capture the strangely constructed beauty of this place. There are lions roaring on the plot next door yet men wonder around all day in gumboots, repositioning sprinklers and mowing the lawns! We drink our sundowners and take notice of the irony.

Dream studio and Man on the lake making ripples.

2009-09-07T10:58:00.000-07:00

My dream studio is in the main house at Nirox. Toon Verhoef arrived today. He makes beautiful big abstract paintings and he gets to mess in this gorgeous space.

Justin out on one of the ponds, securing a large rock and other top secret things under the water to create a ripple intervention on the surface.

Amidst the Masters

2009-09-07T10:50:00.001-07:00

This is a Kentridge you will bump into while walking around the grounds of Nirox.

Welcome to Nirox

2009-09-06T10:34:00.000-07:00

Nirox is situated in the Cradle of Humankind, North west of Johannesburg.

Mrs Ples was discovered in the nearby Sterkfontein caves 2.8 odd million years ago for goodness sake.

After a leisurely trip through the Karoo, with a highly recommended detour through Trompsberg to avoid roadworks, we arrived just before sunset at Nitox on Thursday 4th.

The blossoms are out and although there is still a wee chill in the morning and evening, the days are hot, reaching 28 degrees!

Take a look at our beautiful studio spaces...and weep!

3 Art Making weeks at the Nirox Foundation

2009-08-28T11:50:00.000-07:00

My partner, Justin Fiske (see www.justinfiske.com) and I have been invited on a 3 week residency at the Nirox Foundation in the Cradle of Humankind, northwest of Johannesburg.
We pack our car full of materials, tools and boiled eggs and depart early Wednesday morning.

The Nirox Foundation is a beautiful estate housing several studios and accomodation for local and International artists.

"The residency offers an exceptionally good and unique working experience for artists, collaborators and sponsors. The residency will create exceptionally good and unique working experience for artists, sponsors and collaborators."

Periphery: Observations of urban life in paint.

2008-10-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

Join me on the 17th to celebrate the opening of a group exhibtion with Tamsyn Lancaster.

Tao in Lux Light

2008-07-30T13:06:00.000-07:00

My gorgeous little godson looking fabulous under a lux heart light.
Heart lights available in all sorts of colours.

The Winter Warmer 8 Lytton Street Show

2008-07-15T01:13:00.000-07:00

Recently we had another show at our studio in Observatory.
For this I made a series of ink drawings of the Harajuku Bridge area in Tokyo and the Tokyo skyline in watercolour.
I also made some paintings of the wonderful obsession with fashion that Japanese women in particular have...this season was hotpants and stillettos
Some of this work is still available so contact me on geeraaff@hotmail.com for enquiries.

Now, there are monkeys here.

2008-04-12T08:49:00.000-07:00

Japan is a feast for the senses. But don't expect to be understood.
The past few weeks have taken us from Yamaguchi to Fukuoka, Mount Aso, Ube, Miyajima, Kyoto, Tokyo and back. The air has been full with the subtle scent of blossoms in every conceivable shade of pink. I've inched my way around a dozen temples and shrines, eaten fish eyeballs and the most sublime sashimi. Sipped liberally on sake and Kirin and had some absurd misunderstandings with taxi drivers.
Just start saving. You have to go!

Now, there are monkeys here.

2008-04-12T08:48:00.000-07:00

From Noxious Volcanoes to Fish for Breakfast

2008-03-27T04:30:00.000-07:00

After leaving the comfort and familiarity of the Akiyoshidai we travelled to Fukuoka and Aso,land of bubbling volcanoes. We travelled for about 5 hours to get back to Yamaguchi yesterday. It snowed on Mount Aso and quite frankly I'm still waiting for Spring to kick in. I believe the blossoms come on in full force on the 1st and I can hardly wait to see them in Kyoto.
We have one more day in Yamaguchi as Justin has to re-bulid his crates to the liking of International customs. Something to do with natural wood and bugs.

Then it's off to the ancient city. I had a good dose of kultcha today and took in Rurikoji, the Five-Storied pagoda and Joeji Temple with it's beautiful stone garden (you know..the manically raked variety!) All on a bike that Hiro,our friend from the Art Village lent me. We are staying at his house tonight. It is a beautiful,typical Japanese home where every wall is a sliding door and the floors are tatami mats.

Had my first onsen in Aso. I get to do my favourite thing in the world..lie for ages in water hot enough to poach me. These are public baths that are both inside and outside. Steaming , natural spring water, glossy stones and gently waving bamboo!

Love to you all.
Gabs

A battery charged visit to Mito Town.

2008-03-18T22:53:00.000-07:00

The following are pics from the past few days at the Akiyoshidai and surrounds.

Trips into Mito Town are an absolute pleasure for a lazy bastard like me. The bike has a battery powered option for those nasty hills or even for the straights if you so please!

I am definitely investing in just such a marvellous contraption when I get home.

We popped into the hardware store today to get some wood etc for Justin's crates. It's just like a builder's warehouse back home but somehow when the labels are in Japanese the stuff looks more desirable. Very well stocked and exceptionally well organised establishment.

Just an ordinary pack of mince looks awesome!

Wondering through Bamboo Forests.

2008-03-18T07:18:00.001-07:00

Fresh mince and curios.

2008-03-18T07:02:00.000-07:00

I know we are in Japan but I needed a dose of the mediterranean. Choosing mince for a spag bol is a bit of a guessing game!

The village not far from us is a popular tourist attraction for the Japanese. There are some awesome caves (much like Cango) and the curios abound.

2008-03-18T03:04:00.000-07:00

In the Land of The Rising Sun!

2008-03-18T02:09:00.000-07:00

So I am here. Japan of course. I have come over to visit Justin who is winding down the artist's residency he has been on at Akiyoshidai in Yamaguchi since early January. This is a magnificent institution that offers top facilities to their visiting artists from around the globe. Justin's work has certainly moved to a new level of beauty since his focussed stay here. Now it's pack up time and enjoying the many distractions that come with having your girlfriend at work with you!

We have spent the better part of the last few days trying to book our accomodation for the rest of our travels in Japan...and it hasn't been easy. It is close on one of the busiest tourist seasons in Japan. "The Sakura"(Cherry blossom season) is here and we are marching into the thick of it! Bring it on man. I am at least a foot taller than most people here so let them try and compete with me in a queeue!
Here are some pics of Akiyoshidai.

Work in progress

2008-03-04T07:34:00.000-08:00

I am working towards a show in July. The work deals with how we keep distance from one another, especially in a city.

More work from the studio show.

2008-01-27T12:03:00.001-08:00

8 Lytton Street Studio Exhibition 2007

2008-01-27T10:12:00.000-08:00

Every year, just before Christmas but just after pay day, we lure the discerning public to our studio art shopping party. The lure is not only the delicious Flagstone wine so generously donated by my friend and winemaker, Bruce jack, but also the fabulous art that is good and well priced too. if you want to be added to our mailing list , drop me a note here and I will send you an email closer to the time.

So here are some pics of the paintings I had on show that night. Some are still available so holler if you fancy a closer look.
Enjoy.

Selling my soul to the devil!

2007-11-23T01:49:00.000-08:00

I put a simple iron on print of one of my paintings called 'Sunworshippers'onto a vest. It turned out so well I think I might sell them at the Neighbourgoods Market for Christmas.

More Lux Lights

2007-11-23T00:19:00.000-08:00

Take a look at these and see if anything catches your eye. You can order from me and I should be able to get your light to you within 3 to 4 weeks.

Sun Spot

2007-10-16T03:50:00.000-07:00

This is a painting in progress. Still pretty obsessed about loads of little people from above.

Work submitted for the Spier Contemporary Competition

2007-09-24T07:22:00.001-07:00

Dislocation Series
Mitchell's Plain
Watercolour on Fabriano
2007
Dislocation Series
Joe Slovo

Dislocation Series
Manenberg

Dislocation Series
Bishop's Court

This is a series of watercolours on paper called "Dislocation". I have used Google Earth to locate various sites in Cape Town, most of them places I would feel unsafe visiting. It seems both fascinating and absurd that I can see a place without actually going there. I have chosen the homes of people that I know, work with and teach. The strange, beautiful patterns created by a bird's eye view are quite seductive but also reveal a lot about how different people from different demographics live.

The works are titled: Joe Slovo, Mitchell's Plain, Manenberg and Bishop's Court.

2007-09-24T07:22:00.000-07:00

More paintings

2007-09-11T04:03:00.000-07:00

TAG 2006
This painting came from a quick shot I took from The London Eye on a trip to London in 2006.
As I glanced down from the carriage of the massive ferris wheel I noticed a group of school kids in circle formation playing tag to pass the time.

Portrait of city lady 2006
Watercolour on plyboard
View from the Carlton Centre, Johannesburg 2006
Watercolour on paper
1.5/1m

Have you seen my lights called Lux?

2007-09-10T08:39:00.001-07:00

You can find these funky rope lights at Kitch and Kool in Cavendish Square in Cape Town and Local Works in Stellenbosch.
Call me on 082-6680840 to order your own personal light.

Recent paintings

2007-09-10T08:19:00.001-07:00

I am an artist working in Cape Town. These are some recent paintings I have been working on.
I am interested in the beautiful and strange patterns created by people in groups and the dynamic of the individual within a group. I mostly find myself surrounded by people. We drive to work in congestion, we move around cities, lie on beaches, visit places, in groups. My paintings look at this group dynamic and also the element of isolation within a group. Are we ever alone?

2007-09-10T08:15:00.001-07:00