PRESS RELEASE
The Clarity of Wilderness - Tswalu.
Paintings by Bruce Backhouse
Jun 8 – Jul 8, 2020
Tswalu Kalahari Reserve is a magical place with its ancient landscapes characterized by the magnificent Korannaberg mountains and rolling dunes. The clear night skies, pristine landscapes, and desert-adapted fauna and flora all combine to make Tswalu a spiritual experience that only the unique Kalahari can create. The vast areas of red sand, shrubs and tall trees are home to an amazing variety of wildlife, specially adapted to survive in harsh, dry conditions. The property significantly contributes to conservation of species and ecosystems in the Northern Cape, including numerous rare and endangered species.
The reserve has a strong community and conservation ethic, with numerous research projects that have been sanctioned by the Oppenheimer family. The Tswalu Foundation was created in 2008 to develop a platform upon which local and international visitors could contribute and become involved in community work and environmental research on the reserve. The Foundation has been fundamental in developing a greater appreciation for the beauty of the Kalahari and its diverse and abundant wildlife. Although Tswalu Kalahari and the Oppenheimer family support numerous research projects, the Foundation ensures that more researchers are afforded the opportunity to study this unique land.
One of the programs managed through the Tswalu Foundation is the Artists in Residence Program (AiR), which was initiated in 2015 with the idea of further supporting research on Tswalu through the generation of income for research as well as providing artists an opportunity to be inspired by Tswalu. The selection of the artists to join the Tswalu Foundation AiR program is guided by Mark Read and his incredible team at the Everard Read gallery in Johannesburg. Together we are showcasing the depth and talent of South African artists as well as uncovering new artistic talent. The importance of artists portraying and depicting this vulnerable landscape should not be underestimated. Art portrays the natural world in varying forms, from the intimate to the majestic, and evokes the mood and feeling of a place. The beauty, magnificence and, in some cases, hardships of an area are clearly reflected through art.
We are delighted to have partnered with Bruce Backhouse, whose stunning landscape pieces are iconic. It is impossible not to marvel at the detail and sense of place in this extraordinary collection of exquisite paintings. These are masterpieces, highlighting not only the miracles of this environment but also its complexities and sheer magnitude. Bruce’s work extended through the dry season into the rains to enable him to portray the changing of the Kalahari seasons. His sensual and atmospheric landscapes capture the essence of the Tswalu landscape beautifully.
AiR is important to the family as it broadens the depth and scope of the foundation beyond pure science and adds hugely to the long-term sustainability of the foundation.
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Nicky Oppenheimer
