Artist INGE SEMPLE, The Cape Gallery


INGE SEMPLE
Born 1963, Cape Town, South Africa
My uniqueness as an artist lies in the extremely versatile approach to my art. Always interested in the work of the Old and Modern masters, I employ different techniques in oils and watercolours ranging from Realism, to Impressionism, to Abstraction. A hallmark of all these aspects is my overriding interest in depicting colour and capturing the light. Part of this journey of exploration has been the creation of multipanelled doors and windows on themes such as Africa, the Middle East, The Fullness of Time and Fynbos Window. My delicate and finely detailed watercolours reflect my interest in the natural world. I am an amateur naturalist who delights in recording the changing seasons and myriads of creatures and plants that inhabit my world. I am passionately committed to conservation of species and land, and education of people through my art concerning the life that is found on their doorstep. All local fauna and flora have been painted from life, study skins, photographs or in situ. In 2008 I launched a small business called Cape Fauna and Flora aimed at circulating affordable, good quality cards and art prints which can be found at various outlets in the Western Cape and at The South African Print Gallery. All artworks are done on hot or cold pressed watercolour paper, Fredrix cotton canvas, Belgian linen or canvas board. My work can be found in various private collections in South Africa, England, Scotland, Wales, France, USA, Germany, Singapore, Israel, Australia and New Zealand." - Inge Semple QUALIFICATIONS 1979-1980 Attended Frank Joubert Art Centre - class with Mr Van Zyl Le Grange 1982-1985 Studied BA Fine Art HDE at Stellenbosch University, graduated cum laude, with lecturers Larry Scully, Paul Emsley, Ellalou O’Meara, and Cecil Skotnes 1989 Completed Nature illustration course with Sally Price, SA Museum 1990 Studied Book Illustration with Mel Todd at Foundation School of Art, Observatory 1992 Short Life Drawing course at Frank Joubert , adult classes 1992, 1996 Completed two Botanical Illustration courses with Dr John Manning, Kirstenbosch 2011 Completed a year’s course in Oil Painting with Lyn Northam EXHIBITIONS 2016 Watercolours, group exhibition at The Cape Gallery Review, group exhibition at The Cape Gallery 2014 Pause; the annual wildlife exhibition at The Cape Gallery 2013 Group Botanical Prints Exhibition at The South African Print Gallery 4th solo exhibition at The Cape Gallery, Church Street, Cape Town 2010-2012 Group exhibitions with SASA 2009-2012 Group exhibitions at Kirstenbosch with Cape Artist groups and Original Cape Art 2011 SASA Merit Exhibition February 2010 Certificate of Commendation for a watercolour, ”Persimmons” , 104th annual SASA exhibition 2009 3rd solo exhibition of 100 paintings at Sanlam Hall, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens Solo Exhibition at opening of Cape Research Centre, Tokai 2004 2nd solo painting exhibition with sculptor Guy Luck at Tokai Library 2001 Joint Exhibition with Francoise Viglietti and Tina Schultz at Nova Constantia Cellars Participated in the Gahamstown Christian Arts Festival 2000 Exhibited at first Kirstenbosch Botanical Biennale 1999, 2000 Group exhibitions of artists at Friends First Church 1999 1st solo painting exhibition with potter Tina Schultz at Nova Constantia Cellars 1998 First exhibition a sell out- Group exhibition with painter Francoise Viglietti and potters Ronelle Rudman and Lissa Claassens, Nova Constantia Cellars 1993 Joint staff art exhibition Frank Joubert Art Centre 1987 Joint staff art exhibition Fairmont High School		WORK EXPERIENCE 1986- present Taught art and design privately to children, teens and adults, The Camphors Art Academy 1998 Illustrated children’s book “Let’s Do Cartwheels” in colour published by Cambridge University Press 1990-1998 Accepted illustrating work from various educational publishers in Cape Town 1987-1993 Taught art in the Cape at Fairmont High School , Settlers High school and Frank Joubert Art Centre, to children and teens A SENSE OF PLACE – CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF LIFE IN THE CAPE 1963-2013 "I have had a celebratory feeling as I prepare for my 4th solo exhibition to coincide with my 50th birthday. What a privilege to have lived my entire life in the Cape surrounded by so much natural beauty. I am thankful to God for causing me to be born at this time and place. An artist for whom a sense of place has always been very important, capturing the unique sense of light here is my enduring quest. We have lived a slower life in a rural setting in Tokai for the past 21 years where protecting our geese from the local caracal and the seasonal search for edible mushrooms were preoccupations. I have loved depicting the evening light on the streams in the newly restored Tokai wetland. The birds represented by the 10 nests depicted could all be found in our area. Resulting from a farming family background in Stellenbosch from the time of Van Riebeeck, and living in a family that enjoys good home cooked food, I have affirmed my Dutch and French roots in the still lifes. The move to an urban setting earlier in 2013 caused me to seek out aspects of colour, light and beauty in what some would see as a grey cityscape. A common thread throughout the rural and urban settings depicted is reflections in glass and water and the resulting distortion, magnification of light and colourful shadow. Influences detected in my work could refer to Willem Kalf, Chardin, Turner and Constable, Monet, and Alvaro Castagnet. A passion for art teaching has caused me to recently re-question, “What is Art?” As we consider the answers it is my pleasure to share this part of my journey with you, the viewer." - Inge Semple

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