Grounded - a solo exhibition by Jenny Parsons
Published 09 July 2020 in Press
Art Times
Art, food, wine – the Riebeek Valley is calling
Capetonians
for a long-awaited day out
After months of
restrictions that have seen South Africans craving the chance to get out and
about, current lockdown measures allow for excursions to resume once again -
and an outing to the beautiful Riebeek Valley to soak up art, wine, good food
and artisanal wares is a must for Capetonians looking to take a short road trip.
From the 9th
of July an exciting new solo art exhibition entitled “Grounded” will be on show
at the RK Contemporary gallery in Riebeek Kasteel and features the works of renowned
local artist Jenny Parsons.
All of the
paintings in Parsons’ Grounded exhibition were painted during lockdown and were
initially inspired after a trip to India and the many temple gardens found here.
“My paintings explore the significance of the garden as a place of refuge from
the outside world. For many people gardens
have been an important part of their lives since childhood, holding happy
memories of playing games such as hide and seek, tea parties, building tree
houses and much more,” says Parsons.
“Once the reality
of the virus sank in I battled to paint and the only place I could find refuge
during lockdown was in my garden – a space that helped calm my rising depression
and anxiety, caused by the global pandemic.
Working in my garden I was able to ground myself and gain a new
perspective of a changing world – my garden helped me to return to my easel.”
Astrid McLeod,
owner and curator of RK Contemporary, advises that this will be the first time that
she is conducting a physical art exhibit since lockdown began, having done all
the exhibitions since March as online offerings.
“I am extremely
excited to hang these stunning paintings by Jenny Parsons on the walls of the gallery,
bringing them to life once again, and to be welcoming visitors back to RK
Contemporary and indeed the Riebeek Valley – where there is so much to see and
do, particularly for art enthusiasts.
The Grounded exhibition will also be available to view online for those
who don’t wish to visit just yet.”
Riebeek Kasteel has
been dubbed the “Arts Town” due to the fact that a colony of acclaimed artists,
poets, writers and actors have made their homes here – a development which has seen
arts tourism become a booming form of industry in this predominantly
agricultural area. In fact, the valley
plays host to one of the premier annual art events in the country, Solo
Studios, which due to Covid-19 was unfortunately postponed this year from its
usual August slot in the events calendar.
“Excitingly, discussions are in place to possibly hold the event in
December 2020, with all necessary safety measures being implemented to ensure a
safe and successful event. Organisers
are assessing additional options such as taking Solo Studios online and making
it a virtual art event. Watch this
space!”
“With our local
shops, wine cellars, bakeries and restaurants etc. now also allowed to welcome
visitors once again, a visit to the Riebeek Valley is highly recommended. Added to this, the N7 highway from Cape Town
is now a dual carriageway, making the drive out quick and comfortable.”
McLeod reiterates
that all required hygiene protocols will be followed, social distancing will be
adhered to, and visitors to the gallery are required to wear a mask at all
times.
For more information and a compete catalogue of works on the Grounded
exhibition by Jenny Parsons and on RK Contemporary art gallery visit https://rkcontemporary.com/exhibitions/jenny-parsons-grounded-riebeek-kasteel/.