Plett Land Art Route: Meet the Land Artists, Discover the Locations
“Art takes nature as its model.” – Aristotle
Land Artists are inspired to create works at diverse sites of exceptional natural beauty in and around Plettenberg Bay this Spring, 20-29 September 2024.
During this week, artists are encouraged to work playfully in response to wind and weather, as they select materials found on site. Elements of poetry, performance and ritual facilitate free expression, enabling new perspectives and ways of embracing nature. The Plett Land Route is presented by Plett Art Residency in collaboration with Plett Tourism.
Land Art allows us to connect with nature, express deep intentions and weave dreamscapes. Ephemeral by its very nature, some works are fragile until they are reclaimed by the wild. Others gently linger, with zero impact on the environment, dependent on materials and the landscape.
Participation is encouraged as artists follow their individual processes and visitors experience their work in turn. Running alongside the annual Plett Arts Festival, our event has garnered enthusiasm and support from local and international visitors as it heads into its fourth year.
Plettenberg Bay offers a spectacular nature backdrop to various land art activities, from beaches to forests and estuaries. It is a visual feast to witness and be embraced by. Meet the talented land artists and their three exquisite locations below. This year, artists have been invited to participate in three exquisite locations on specifc days (maps included below) to enable them to focus together on each area and to allow visitors to find them making their magic. The event encourages visitors of all ages. Group tours can be arranged – speak to Daron 083 395 5050.
21 – 23 September 2024: Robert Leggat’s Bronze Fields Foundry
24 – 26 September: Lookout Beach, Poortjies Estuary, Central Beach & Piesang Valley Estuary
27 – 29 September: Brackenburn Private Nature Reserve
Follow on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
MEET THE LAND ARTISTS
Meet Yoko Reijn @yokoreijn.art
“Intention is what ultimately provides budding awareness with energy to preserve earth. What excites me tremendously is being human in our unique individual experience of life, spirituality, emotions. As an artist I respond to my environment, thoughts, and inner motions with the need to articulate, express and communicate awareness of human impact on nature.
My work speaks about energies, wholeness and continuation. Life lines. Spirit lines, Mind map. It speaks about inner force, oneness and impermanence within people and within nature.
Life creates a chain of never-ending events of cause and effects.
I focus on abundance and contemplate that looking at, and respecting and honouring fertility of our life-source is a step towards constructive change.
Shaken by the immense destruction which is very noticeable in every field of life (war,pollution, violence, escapism, ignorance) we desperately need to turn towards encouraging mindsets. Life-force does not stop! I’d like to arrive open-minded in Plett with a clear intention but a rough concept so that inspiration through the location can take over the creative process.”
Yoko Is an abstract artist and works in the Western Cape from her studio at home. Since 2012 she has exhibited in South African galleries, at art events, and selected group shows.
Meet Richard John Forbes @studiorichardjforbes
Richard lives and works in George, South Africa. Forbes is a multi disciplinary artist with a central focus on sculpture. He creates sculpture, land, furniture, Stage sets, architecture, drawing, print, film and food.
His work is at once subtle and bold; grounded and ethereal, ancient and modern. Constantly exploring materiality through his own hands. Nature and its wonders guides his craft.
As an internationalist, he travels extensively. He discovered the impact of scale as a restorer of historic architecture in the United Kingdom, his practice considers space in the urban and natural landscape while internal light and cavernous volumes have made a huge impression on his art works.
“I am interested in the veil suspended between all things, the charged film of atmosphere is filled with potential; fuelling the curiosity and compulsion to gain experience with many different media and this toolbox of multiple disciplines allows me to explore.”
Meet no͞o collective
Cheryl Traub Adler @cheryl_traub_adler | Richard Kilpert @richardkilpert | Kyle Jones @kylejonesp
no͞o is a collective of interdisciplinary artists and land stewards exploring the intersections of art, nature, and community. United by a shared passion for the natural world and a commitment to environmental awareness, we create site-specific installations, performances, and interventions that foster dialogue, spark imagination, and inspire ecological consciousness.
Through our collaborative practice, we investigate the complex relationships between human and non-human entities, inviting viewers to reconsider their place within the more-than-human world. Our works often incorporate natural materials, found objects, and sustainable practices, highlighting the beauty and fragility of the land.
Meet Leli Hoch @lelilandart
Leli Hoch was born in Germany into a family of artists, writers and musicians. She lives in Stanford, South Africa. She studied Sociology, Psychology and Educational Sciences, and holds a MA in Educational Sciences.
Working in the outdoor tourism industry led to living an adventurous life in intimate connection with nature and, closing the circle of her roots, initiated her into working as a nature artist.
Artist Statement: “My inspiration is nature: earth, rocks, plants, bones, minerals, water. Natural materials and processes have and create a history, capturing on their journey new forms and meanings, the traces of life as time goes by.
In my artistic process I negotiate a path between nature art, writing, installation, crocheting, painting, knitting, sculpture and want the viewer to see or feel the hands that made a work of art. Manipulation – from Latin manus “hand” and plere “to fill”. A sense of skilfully handling an object or a person to one’s own advantage.
Copper is the first metal mined and manipulated by humans. The thinnest copper wire is one of my favourite materials, interacting with other materials in a way they never would in real life.
Earth colours, all pure earth or natural pigments, mix and meld on the surface of canvas, fabric or paper, mapping the land they came from in fresh ways through the movement of a human hand – a gentle interaction between myself and the landscape.
I dedicate time and effort to a seemingly transient yet perfect object like a leaf. Combining old-fashioned hand-craft techniques with a fragile material like a leaf shows the delicate nature of it. How I work highlights the balance of fragility and strength of the leaves but also makes the destructive and senseless (ab)use of nature by humans visible.
All materials I use collaborate with each other and I with them. I am not the dominating factor, but a conduit in the creative process. I love to explore the concepts of impermanence and decommodification, sometimes my work is ephemeral, made in situ and after completion and documentation left to disintegrate or decompose.”
Leli Hoch is one of the founders, selectors and facilitator for the Tankwa Artscape Residency and Bodhi Khaya Residency South Africa www.artistinresidence.co.za.
Meet Janet Botes & Jared Burchell @janetbotes @perception_reception @stoneseed.studio
These two are a creative duo united by a passion for health, ecology, music, exploration, and telos. Their complementary skills in art, graphic design, photography, facilitation, NGO work, and project management form the foundation of their collaborative work. With a shared commitment to creating and living an inspired and reverent life, they infuse their projects with a deep connection to nature and Creator or God.
Their artistic endeavours span from lab experiments, outdoor workshops, laser-cut designs, and land art to inspire and uplift through visual storytelling.
Meet Zbys Kaczmarek @zbysk
Polish born South African based artist, educator, ceramicist and designer. Since graduating from Michaelis School of art in 1984 he has worked in many fields. He developed his own range of high-tech kites in the UK, produced theme décor for restaurants and worked as a photographer and cameraman.
Internationally, he has participated in Kite Festivals and Land-Art events in Namibia , France, UK, USA, Malaysia, Bulgaria and Turkey. He also participated in Western Cape Land Art public events, Afrikaburn and large-scale land art initiatives such as the Karoo Geoglyphs in Matjiesfontein, Loxton, South Africa, and Aus in Namibia.
He has devoted himself full-time to ceramics and collaborative projects since 2016, exhibiting at various galleries, and at Cape Town and Franschoek’s Potter’s Markets. He is a materials expert, with facility in wood, steel, resin, textiles and clay.
His mediums he works in include mostly ceramics, mixed media and the immediate site specific natural materials available, with the aim to create beautiful works that pay tribute to the natural world to remind us to slow down and reconnect with nature. His goal is to inspire, to look more carefully at the world around us and to discover beauty in unusual ways and places.
He has been a featured artist at Plett Land Art Festival in 2021, 2022 and 2023. He currently resides in Wolvengat where he has a ceramic studio continuing his craft in clay and fire.
Meet Andrée Bonthuys @andreebonthuys
Andrée is a sculptor, ceramicist and land artist, currently living in the Hemel en Aarde Valley near Hermanus. “Although I graduated from the University of Stellenbosch in 1973 with Languages – English, French and Italian, I soon discovered that Art was my favourite language of expression. My work is conceptual and I have exhibited extensively in South Africa over the years. I represented SA in Hong Kong in 1994 at New Trends in Art.
I have won a few awards for my ceramics and have works in private collections both locally and abroad. I have enjoyed a few Artist Residencies recently and love the freedom and the ephemeral of creating with nature in nature.”
Meet Derek Saul @shantijourney
A visionary artist living amidst the lush forests near Plettenberg Bay, where the natural world inspires his environmental and playful sculptures. An artist with an innate connection to the environment, Derek’s work seamlessly blends his love for nature and his creative spirit.
One of Derek’s sculptures graces Central Beach in Plettenberg Bay – a monumental free-standing steel whale This sculpture not only sparks the imagination but also carries a powerful message about the harmful impact of poaching and thoughtless disposal of waste in the ocean. Functioning as both a work of art and a utility, the whale acts as a recycling bin, encouraging beach-goers to actively contribute to ocean conservation by responsibly disposing of plastic waste.
Derek’s artistic philosophy thrives on the juxtaposition of opposites. He possesses a unique talent for imbuing weighty materials with a sense of lightness and playfulness. This duality is evident in his whimsical creations, such as steel wings affixed to bricks, which defy expectations and redefine the boundaries of art.
When he’s not sculpting, Derek channels his creative energies into crafting bespoke furniture and fittings for homes, expertly working with wrought iron to breathe life into interior spaces. Derek’s journey in the art world began with a solid foundation in academia. He honed his artistic skills at Rhodes University, where he laid the groundwork for his future as a sculptor. His pursuit of artistic excellence led him to London, where he spent many years at the prestigious Bronze Age Foundry. It was here that he delved into the intricate art of bronze casting, mastering the techniques that would become a hallmark of his work. At one point, Derek even ventured to establish his own foundry, a testament to his dedication to the craft.
Derek’s artistic reach knows no bounds, with his sculptures finding homes in various countries across the globe. His creations resonate with audiences worldwide, leaving a lasting impression on those who encounter his art.
In the heart of the forest near Plettenberg Bay, Derek Saul continues to explore the depths of his artistic vision, weaving together nature’s beauty, environmental consciousness, and the enchantment of playful sculptures. His work invites us all to reconsider our connection with the natural world and the transformative power of art.
Meet Shayla Faye Watson @shaylafaye333
Shayla is a local sculptor and bronze artist with an inclination towards surrealism.
Her upbringing in the forest has largely informed their organic creative expression. Shayla is also an activist and educator who facilitates art explorations for others as a healing medium.
Her Art intentions: “As my second year participating in the land art event I intend to loosen the reins and let my environment take the lead. I do hope to incorporate guided land art creation with viewers so that they too can experience the joy of immersing into the land, identifying its abundance of art and find healing in the interconnection of our bodies with the land we emerged from.”
Meet Tamsyn Ellish @tamsynellish
Tamsyn is a self taught artist whose deep love of nature, colour and form led to a life of pursuing the understanding and embodiment of the healing power of creativity and art.
She has taught, mentored and facilitated creative healing for 20 years and is passionate about sharing her direct experience of the mystical convergence of art and nature, its effect on our nervous systems and ultimately our ability to empower ourselves through direct communion with Earth and art.
She runs a studio in Plettenberg Bay where she teaches ceramics, drawing and painting, as well as facilitating creative soul reconnection modalities for people on a healing journey.
Meet Frank Carlisle @biocampssa
Frank grew up in the Southern Cape and, after studying Nature Conservation, spent several years in Umfolozi Game Reserve as a trails guide, section ranger and was intensely involved in a rhino monitoring programme.
He set up a self-drive safari company 20 years ago and has travelled Southern Africa extensively. He is applying his experience to the development of Biocamps in the Southern Cape that enable access to wild spaces. Frank is driven by a goal to enable people to have access to nature and all her offerings with minimal impact.
Currently, he is creating a series of bird hides in The Crags, working with artists to weave bird nests, using natural materials that will link the forest spaces and invite a sense of merging of worlds.
Meet Julie Carlisle @juliebitou
Born and raised in Johannesburg, Julie developed a passion for nature’s colours and shapes from a young age and has enjoyed a 40-year career in environmental and community programmes across Southern Africa.
During a particularly difficult time, Julie felt a strong need to express her connection to nature through art, particularly light and colour. She met Tamsyn Ellish in 2018 who has helped steer her creative journey to connecting inner and outer worlds. It’s been a magical ride for Julie…delving back into the mindset of her childhood, producing children’s illustrations and exploring shape, form, colour, texture and light in nature.
Julie aims to produce the awe of creation and the alchemy of life in colour and form.
Meet Frances Leger Fortes @frances.leger.fortes
Cape Town based ceramic artist whose works converse intimately with the natural world. From these conversations emerge bold yet sensitive pieces that ignite their handler’s imagination.
Her shapes arrive, and keep arriving. Although fired and ossified, they retain something of the dynamism of nature. With a varied oeuvre composed of pots, vases and objets d’art, Frances expresses herself best in earthy, organic colours, shapes and textures.
Meet Bevan van Druten @benavandruten
Driftwood artist. Recently relocated in Plett (Keurbooms river) from Wilderness. Combining his love for wildlife and driftwood, he started sculpting animals 12 years ago.
His speciality is Birds, but has created an extensive variety of wildlife, ranging from life-size lioness, rhino, kudu, giraffe, sharks, whales, turtles and fish. Bevan sets a clear intention in his sculptures to inspire people to embrace natural wonder.
Meet Robert Leggat @artistrobertleggat
Robert Leggat’s attention to detail when creating bronze sculptures is exceptional and the ability to capture the essence of his subject involves long hours observing, drawing and sketching from life plus the use of taxidermic examples borrowed from collections and museums.
This enables him to produce anatomically correct pieces of great sensitivity with realistic depictions of textures and natural forms. His enquiring mind coupled with a natural inquisitiveness, inventiveness and a sense of fun gives his work a uniqueness not often found in the bronze medium.
Meet Auriol Hays @auriolhays
With six albums and three EP’s albums under her belt she effortlessly manages to deliver iconic songs from each musical offering. Mbokodo Women in Jazz and SAMA nominated Ms Hays traversed all genres including jazz, blues, soul, reggaeton and voiced Music in English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Pedi and Portuguese.
In June 2019, Ms Hays opened for triple Grammy award winning musician and producer Ben Harper, and in 2021 was the only South African artist chosen to be part of the Commonwealth of Learning Virtual Celebrations, focused on addressing increasing inequalities. Ms Hays was chosen as one of 12 artists to participate in the Tankwa Artscape residency in the desert in March 2022. Her 7th album Silk and Gravel was sponsored by SAMPRA and her 8th and 9th, was released in May and July respectively. They were sponsored by Samro. She performed at the Cape town International Jazz festival, The National Arts Festival twice as well as the Montreux Jazz festival in Switzerland.
Blessed with a powerful, sultry thick-as-molasses voice this songwriter’s compositions have been featured on SABC 3’s weekly soapie, Isidingo, The Mating Game and as well as by the French cosmetics brand Carrefour. Her voice has been used for various social justice campaigns as well as by local film makers.
Socially conscious, Ms. Hays’ Dreaming Music also includes a nod in support of Greenpeace, a song penned for the Arctic 30 titled “Come Home to Me”, intended to highlight the plight of Arctic drilling in Russia and the impact on the environment.
Ms Hays is a musical storyteller, a sonorous shaman, a songwriter above all else whose musical and emotive range is influenced by a plethora of sounds. And rendered in a voice entirely and completely her own.
Meet Maria Ziessler @mz_ceramics_floraldesign
“Art is my passion, and I find inspiration all around me. I love creating in nature, where I feel most connected to my work.
After studying ceramics and completing an apprenticeship as a potter in Germany, I’ve had the privilege of working with traditional potters and artists in Bhutan, Mozambique,South Africa , Malawi and Germany. Learning and collaborating with others brings me great joy, and nature remains my greatest source of inspiration.” www.mariaziessler@.com
Meet Lia Mbali @mbalidesigns
“I’m an aesthete at heart, so art feeds my soul and nature excites me. All around us are serendipitous marks left by Earths inhabitants. Everything is connected, mesmerising beauty to be found within the tapestry.
I love using these natural wonders as an inspiration in my artistic journey to create an awareness for its delicacy. My favourite muse is pangolins, the most trafficked mammals.
I try to be a voice for these voiceless creatures by creating artworks of them with various techniques like watercolour painting, Lino printing and ceramic sculptures.”
Meet Janet Ranson @janandtheinvisibleones
Janet Ranson has participated in exhibitions, workshops and international residencies in South Africa, Kenya, Botswana, South Korea, Bulgaria and Taiwan, working as a painter and installation artist, often using found materials.
Artists’ workshops inform her practice. She enjoys facilitating and participating in collaborations public projects and drawing circles. She co-founded Cape Land Art in order to promote Nature Art practices through monthly get togethers.
Since moving out of the city in 2019 she has gained a rural perspective on the rift between environmental issues and human desires. How to make art about all this, when the garden is calling…?
She continues to make paintings responding to the seasons, the growth and wildlife around her. She hosts nature art workshops and participates in Plett Land Art. Since moving to Wolvengat in 2022 she has established community art classes for children and adults.
She enjoys observing traditional attitudes and beliefs about land, plants and animals. Current work explores and imagines the cosmologies of local sheep, ducks, frogs, hoopoes and the vanished wildlife of the Aghulas Plain.
Please see the Plett Arts Festival Program for more details www.plettartfestival.co.za
