Scratchboard / Scraperboard Art by Solly Gutman 'The Colour of Black and White'
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The Lutheran Church in Strand Street, Cape Town

6/24/2018

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Picture
The Lutheran Church in Strand Street in Cape Town is the oldest church building in South Africa, dating back to 1792. It was declared a National Monument in 1949. It is one of a unique group of eighteenth century buildings, the others being Martin Melck House and Sexton's House. These buildings are of particular historical importance as they symbolise the long drawn-out struggle of the Lutherans for the right to practice their religion.

When the Dutch first settled at the Cape in 1652, the Dutch East India Company limited the colonist's freedom of worship to the Dutch Reformed faith. However, for many years Lutheran worship was held in a hall, erected by a wealthy merchant, Martin Melck. The building was officially described as a warehouse. However, although the colonial administrators were aware of the actual use of the building, they chose to turn a blind eye.

In 1776 the hall was transferred to the congregation by Martin Melck. It already contained an organ, a communion chalice and a lectern in the form of a swan with outstretched wings: the symbol of Lutheranism. Another swan was proudly displayed above the entrance.

In 1779, following a number of petitions from German, Danish and Scandinavian officials in the Cape, the Company relented and decided to grant the Lutherans the right to form their own church. In the following year, Andreas Kolver of Rotterdam became the first Pastor. During the next four years considerable improvements were made to the hall, but it was mainly during the years 1787 to 1792 that the building was transformed and beautified. This was done by the leading Cape sculptor of the time, Anton Anreith. He designed the front elevation, but his main contribution was the decoration of the interior by his excellent wood carvings.

In 1818 the church had to be rebuilt to a considerable extent because of the poor condition of the walls and the roof. At this time a spire was built. There have been few alterations to the church since. The spire with its belfry rises almost from street level, while the original old railings offer brave resistance to the encroachment of the city. The same slate path which so many churchgoers have used over the years still leads from the gate to the paved entrance porch. Inside, the sense of devotion is enhanced by Anreith's incomparable pulpit, the historic old pews, the lovely copper basins and font. Here the Church Archives and the valuable communion plate are also preserved.

For more images of Early Cape Town, take a look in the gallery.
All works are available as high quality prints on non-archival paper or on stretched canvas.

Place your order
by phone on +27 79 247 7532
by email to gutmansolly@gmail.com
or inbox me on facebook: Solly Gutman Scratchboard Art

There is usually a 7 day turnaround time.
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2018 Tollman Bouchard Finlayson Art Award – Finalist!

6/17/2018

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Picture
The competition
‘The Milk Churn’ was selected as one of the finalists in this novel exhibition of ‘tondos’, round paintings, which are attractively displayed on barrel ends in the wine cellar at the Bouchard Finlayson Vineyard and Winery in the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, just outside Hermanus.

A key part of the annual Hermanus Fynarts Festival which closes today, this national competition on the theme of ‘Vintage’ received 226 entries this year.

The works of 54 finalists will remain on display in the wine cellar until 30 September.

About the work
Scratchboard is usually manufactured from compressed white chalk and clay, and finished with a matt black surface. The surface is then scratched with special tools with the resultant finish of very detailed white lines and a black background. 

However, in this instance, a board was obtained with a copper coloured base replacing the white chalk and clay base. The resultant finish is ideal for the purpose of obtaining images of copper pots and other similar items.
​
This particular work is the first in a series of copper items utilizing this medium...coming soon!

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S A Artist Magazine Painting Challenge

6/3/2018

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Imagine my delight to find that I have been chosen as a runner up in the most recent 'Big Painting Challenge' Competition held by the wonderful South African Artist Magazine.

The challenge is to create an artwork based on a reference photo which is published in the magazine. I was particularly keen to enter this challenge as I was so taken with the interesting profile portrait. Here's the reference photo and my entry.
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    Author

    I started my 'journey' with Scraperboard or Scratchboard Art in 1968. Since then I have been working exclusively in this medium.

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Scratchboard / Scraperboard Artist