"Jon Eiselin: Life in the Open Air"
2005-02-24 until 2005-12-30
Blue Caterpillar Art Gallery
Willowton, , ZA South Africa

Blue Caterpillar Art Gallery presents works by Jon Eiselin through the end of the year. A distinctive use of colour combined with a highly individual style enables Jon Eiselin to express his views and thoughts on art. Jon was born in Pieteramaritzburg in 1958. He did his training at The Academy of Fine Arts, Rotterdam in 1985 – 1990. Jon is known for his classic figurative paintings, depicting people in or outside an (un)defined space and their relationship towards each other, but has moved on to applying a more diverse vocabulary which now includes motives and symbols such as light, air, water, animals and other creatures, earth, landscape and vegetation. In short, life in the open air.

The human figure has not been abandoned altogether and at times reappears in the midst of this all. His paintings are usually done with oil paint on canvas. They vary in size from small scale to wall covering polyptychs. Because all paintings are different, each one calls for its own unique solution and, in their development, a unique approach and commitment.

Jon Eiselin reduces his images to their bare necessity: bright, bold and colourful. In some paintings more than in others, one finds references to the vastness and diversity of Southern African nature. This is the nature he cherishes, feels most related to and is inspired by.

In July 2002 an arts programme called 'Kunskafee' on South Africa's DSTV presented a profile on his work and person, directed by André Calitz for Pieter Cilliers Productions from Johannesburg.

Jon has been involved in various group and solo exhibitions locally and in the Netherlands. He has been on study tours to South Africa, Namibia, USA and Poland. A number of his paintings and drawings have been added to various private and corporate collections in the Netherlands and abroad.

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for South Africa

Other Important Exhibitions in South Africa