Girl with kaleidoscope eyes
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Johannes Jacobus Blom ( J.J. Blom, JJ)was born in Cape Town on 13.10.1948.
From age six he grew up on a farm near Windhoek, Namibia, and attended both Junior and High schools in that city. After matriculation he studied Medical Science a University of Cape Town for two years and then Fine Art at Michaelis school of Art for one year. Subsequently he moved to Johannesburg in 1974 and attended a Television Operations course. He worked for S.A.B.C. Television for 17 years until 1991.
Whilst in Johannesburg he continued studying Fine art part-time. He had three solo exhibitions at Gallery 21 (1984, 1985, 1986) and participated in various group shows in and around Johannesburg (Pretoria, Klerksdorp, Van der Bijl Park and Bloemfontein.) After resigning from S.A.B.C. TV in 1991 he moved back to Namibia and had a solo exhibition in Swakopmund, Namibia.
In 1995 he moved to Cape Town where he lives with his wife to this day, participating in various group shows.
Since the beginning of 2006 he has been a regular exhibitor at “Artapart” and has had works on display at “Die Kunshuis”, Clanwilliam; Gallery “Art 1” in Cape Town; “Yenza Internet Cafe, Sunnyacres, and “The Baxter Theatre”, Rondebosch (1-14 Sept.2008).
Bibliography:
Esme Berman’s: Art & Artists of S.A. (1984)
Grania Ogilvie’s: Art & Artists of S.A. (1986)
The Artists’ Palate compiled by E.Ladan & J.Doyle (1991)
A Director Directory of Southern African Contemporary Art Practices, Vol. 1 (1997/98) & Vol. 2 (1998/99)
The Collectors’ Guide toArts & Artists in S.A., Vol. 1 (1998) & Vol. 2 (2003)
Catalogue of Fundraising Exhibition & Auction for the Ruth Prowse School of Art (2001)
The S.A. Art Information Directory (2005 & 2006)
SABC TV Documentary “Picking up the Pieces” (1998/99)
Catalogue of PELMAMA Permanent Art Collection at the Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein (2007)
Manifesto
From the start
my art
has been more sensual
and lyrical
than conceptual
the idea only emerging afterwards
it is not preconceived
but embedded within the sensuality
the sensibility
the meaning come from within
not without
the vision comes before the mind
has interpreted it by means of
its subjective and objective references
it emerges out of the vision
like poetry out of music
the flesh gives birth to spirit
the spirit of it
the struggle is like
the labour of giving birth
blood sweat and tears
tears like happiness as well
it is like surfing
u do not hurt the wave
u just ride with it
New Age Art
is a new sensitivity
towards the world we live in
be it cosmopolitan
urban suburban
rural or country life
it depicts its different elements
their different characters
and characteristics
in a new way
as seen fresh thru discerning eyes
to evoke a response and resonance
within whoever experiences it
be it beautiful or ugly
be it political social critical
or just plain decorative
exuberant
it reflects a new vibe
a new attitude
it shows itself in novel ways
even if it has been
around for donkey’s years
the themes are given
a different treatment
fresh young and vibrant
the best of the new and the old
bringing out subtle nuances
of feeling for the subject matter
it is passionate
it is compassionate
it is honest
it is mysterious
it is flamboyant
it is eccentric
it has all kinds
of different flavours
styles and stylistic treatments
it peeps beneath surface reality
and reveals some of
the underlying layers
of perceptions and dimensions
a kind of hybridisation
happening between sensuality
and conceptualisation
alive with the life pulse
of modern day experiences
of reality and relativity
and express it as such
contemporary alternative avant-garde art
for the “Alternative Nation”
within the nation at large
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
1972 Fine Art, Michaelis School of Art
1983 - 1986 Extramural classes, at University of Witwatersrand, as well as private art lessons
EXHIBITIONS
Solo Exhibitions
1984 Gallery 21, Johannesburg
1985 Gallery 21, Johannesburg
1986 Gallery 21, Johannesburg
1993 Windhoek
Group Exhibitions
1984 - 1991 Various galleries, in and around Johannesburg
1992 - 1994 Swakopmund
1995 - 2005 Various galleries in and around Cape Town
2006 ARTAPART, 21 Church Street, Muizenberg
2007 Gallery Art One, Church Street, Cape Town
2008 Yenza Internet Cafe, Kommetjie Road, Sunny Acres
2008 Die Kunshuis, Clanwilliam
2008 1 - 14 September, The Baxter Theatre, Rondebosch
CURRENTLY ON DISPLAY AT
Simonstown Library Hall, Artists of the South
Artists of the South, Viewing 9, 10, 11 April 2010
PREFERRED MEDIA
Acrylic, charcoal, collage, ink, oil, pastel, pencil, watercolour, crayon, spray paint, glass paint, wire, beads, batik
COLLECTIONS
1993 Pretoria Art Museum, Pretoria, Pelmama Permanent Art Collection
1993 Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein, Pelmama Permanent Art Collection
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