The Epic of Everlasting Cicil Skotnes Exhibition Tour 2011

South Africa Mon 18-07-2011

The Epic of Everlasting Cicil Skotnes Exhibition Tour 2011
Press Release | Oliewenhuis Art Museum

Iconic South African wine and brandy business, KWV’s 10-month travelling Exhibition featuring the work of acclaimed South African artist, Cecil Skotnes will be hosted by Oliewenhuis Art Museum from 20 July to 1 August 2011.

The-Epic of Everlasting Cicil Skotnes Exhibition tour 201

The Skotnes exhibition is partnered with one of KWV’s key brands – Laborie wines, and opened in Stellenbosch at the Sasol Art Museum on 7 April 2011. Bloemfontein is the fifth destination for this acclaimed exhibition travelling around South Africa, with its final stop being the Laborie Wine Estate itself in December 2011.

In 1977, Cecil Skotnes created a piece for KWV which is arguably one of the artist’s most exceptional works. Based on one of the oldest stories of humankind, The Epic of Gilgamesh, Skotnes re-imagined this story as the Origin of Wine, and translated it into a remarkable wood-carved panel.

Cecil Skotnes' Works

This work celebrates not only the complex heritage of the wine-making industry in the Cape, but evokes a love for wine which stems from the ancient epoch of Gilgamesh and continues into the present day. This will be the first time a broad section of the general public will be able to view this remarkable wood-carved panel.

Cecil Skotnes' works

KWV again asked Skotnes to create two series of works for their 1979 and 1982 Art Calendar projects. The 1982 series depicts twelve extraordinary landscapes from the Cape region, which powerfully capture the unique terroir from which KWV’s wines are produced.

Cecil-Skotnes-Works

About Cecil Skotnes

Cecil Skotnes is an icon of the South African art world. Born in 1926, he spent his formative years in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng, before departing to North Africa and Europe in service of the South African Artillery at the young age of 17.

It was in Europe where he received his first introduction to art and developed his fascination for Greek mythology and the Renaissance. Upon his return to Johannesburg, Skotnes enrolled at Wits University to study for a degree in Fine Arts.

It was during this time that he met his wife Thelma, and after a brief period spent in Europe, they returned to settle in Johannesburg.

Admired for his painting, he is well known for his pioneering role in art education in South Africa, for his part in the Amadlozi group which sought to work at the intersection of African and European art, for his generosity to, and nurturing of, young artists.

Cecil & Thelma’s Johannesburg home was for many decades an ‘open house’ so that it became a hub for artists of all generations and from many parts of the city and, indeed, the world. After their move to Cape Town, this spirit of creative hospitality continued.

Skotnes’ work has encompassed many media, most recognisably the large, coloured wood-panels that grew out of the making of blocks for relief printing, portfolios of prints, murals and public commissions, oil paintings, ceramics, tapestries and sculpture.

To honour Skotnes and his association with wine, KWV is pleased to present the Epic of Everlasting. Through this exhibition, KWV wishes to share their treasures of Cecil Skotnes’ artistry, and encourage the public to take part in a wine and art experience which will continue to build on the KWV arts heritage into the future.

*KWV invites you to embark on your very own quest to become a part of the Laborie legend…

In each of the nine cities to which the Epic of Everlasting exhibition travels, a treasure is to be found.

In order to find these treasures, you will need to rely on the story of The Epic of Gilgamesh, as well as your knowledge of the landmarks in each city.

To enter the hunt, visit the website www.epicofeverlasting.co.za, where a clue to the Bloemfontein treasure was published on Monday 11 June 2011. You will need to solve the riddle to find the vaatjie (which you’re not allowed to vat); once you spot its golden glint you’ve found the treasure!

If you find the treasure, you will need to take a photograph of yourself with the vaatjie and email it to the address on the vaatjie. The first email to reach us will qualify the sender (who must be over 18 years of age) as a finalist for the Grand Prize Draw (Note: email entries will close on 20 July 2011).

Each of the nine finalists will be invited to Paarl to attend the formal Awards Ceremony of the Epic of Everlasting on 14 December 2011, hosted at Laborie Wine Farm (all transport and accommodation expenses will be covered by KWV).

At the ceremony, one finalist will be drawn from the nine to win the Laborie “Fountain of Life”, a 15 litre bottle of wine which may be refilled for the lifetime of the winner!

Posted By: Allan Kapten

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