Art moves me

By Carel Nolte

Many years ago, I was privileged to stand on the Founders’ Day stage at St Stithians and to suggest to the students to go out and to get “real jobs” – to become artists, authors, journalists, creatives. I meant it then. I mean it now. Because more than anything else, art is what moves society forward.

Years ago in Venice, during the Venice Biennale, I had a conversation with Dick Enthoven and Jeanetta Blignaut that I’ve never forgotten. Dick said that artists, through the ages, are the ones who enable societies to progress. Artists help us understand ourselves. Make sense of the chaos. Challenge us. Inspire us. Shift us. They always have. They always will.

I can’t draw (my stick men are special) and I’m no virtuoso, but I have a good eye for art. And adore music. I’ve found my role in supporting art – buying it, going to concerts and shows, mentoring artists, hosting discussions, giving platforms for creatives to shine. For years I served on the Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) board, an organisation committed to linking the world of business and the power of art. That work matters. And it changed me.

Every time I visit an artist’s studio or hear them speak about their process, I get overwhelmed. It’s spiritual. It makes me happy.

A little while ago I was lucky enough to attend the RMB Latitudes at Shepstone Gardens. For context: RMB Latitudes is a contemporary art fair founded by curators and entrepreneurs Lucy MacGarry and Roberta Coci (so lekker to see them after so many years). The setting – Shepstone Gardens, a lush, quintessentially heritage estate in Johannesburg – is deliberately unconventional. It turns the traditional art fair experience on its head. Art spills into gardens, lounges and corners. It’s immersive, beautiful and deeply personal. Fun!

I was there thanks to the exceptional RMB team (who do a massive amount for the creative economy) and my host for the night was my friend Carolynne Waterhouse, a powerhouse at RMB and in the art world. It was a freezing Jozi evening, but the energy made the cold irrelevant. The wine flowed, the laughter too. I saw old friends and new legends: Michelle Constant, Steven John Wilkins, Carolyn Steyn, Sharon Barkhuzien, Tim Moloi, Brian Heathfield, Antoinette and Guy Shand, and so many more. Johannesburg truly is filled with extraordinary individuals.

Steven came up and asked if I remembered him. Of course I do. He’s represented by my friend Charles Greig and I often think of his octopus bronze. Imagine my delight meeting his partner, who he met while she was here rowing in the Rowing Masters – another one of my passions. The world, small and magical.

Rikus and I were lucky to bring a few pieces home. From the exquisite White River Gallery, we picked up a work by Ingrid Uys. From Reservoir, THE hot gallerists and this year’s Woordfees curators, we bought a delicately powerful piece by Mankebe Seakgoe called Everywhere, Nowhere. And yes, obviously, a Kevin Collins ceramic (I snapped up the Kentridge one before anyone else could!) and a beautiful Ardmore pangolin.

The atmosphere was electric. Sales were buzzing. I loved seeing new Latitudes faces like my mates Janet and Rick van der Poel enjoying RMB hospitality, and old friends like Susie from Strauss & Co helping folk enjoy the art world. Art lovers all.

Speaking of Strauss & Co — what a force in the South African art world. Susie Goodman, one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet, continues to lead with grace and brilliance. This week Strauss sold a Tretchikoff for tens of millions. Auctions, and yes, I’m biased, especially those through Strauss, are an amazing way to get involved in art. They’re fun, engaging and can lead to exceptional investment returns. As can just taking a punt. I remember buying works by Jackson Hlungwani — the legendary sculptor known for his spiritual wooden figures — when he came to St Stithians back in 1990 and I was 16. R50. That’s the beauty of art. There’s no right or wrong. It’s about what moves you.

I’m recording a Latitudes podcast with my friend Justin Naylor, MD of iTOO next week. We’ll be speaking about art, investing and everything in between. Watch out for that and hopefully you find it useful.

This weekend, the artistic feast continues with the final of FEDA (Festival of Excellence in Dramatic Arts). Another artistic tour de force. FEDA is run by the unstoppable duo of Janet Baylis and Pippa Sandilands. Smart, sexy, sassy and simply extraordinary. Love them.

I got involved with FEDA through Paolo, who introduced me to Pippa. And Janet’s son used to work with my lawyer and school mate Lee Astfalck. Yes, the world is connected. If you let it be so.

I’m proud to be a FEDA patron alongside the legendary Ismail Mahomed (his contributions to the art world and its impact is truly unmatched). FEDA is electric. This year they staged 66 productions over three weeks. Students telling fierce, funny, painful, courageous stories. Every night, packed houses. For the final, tickets are as hard to get as a Springbok Test. I cannot wait to enjoy it with my varsity mate Saartjie Botha, director of the Woordfees, who is one of this year’s judges.

Watch Janet tell the story of how FEDA began here. It’ll move you.

90 year-old, going on 21, Kate Turkington will be in the audience. So will I. So will Cameron Conlon’s mum Susan celebrating her wonderful son and my fellow Saints alumnus. And many other special humans. Because we know that theatre matters. It lifts us. It anchors us. It dares us. It makes us better.

We need more of it. And we need more people to believe in it. Our future depends on that.

FEDA is about the student voices. Often challenging – but so needed. As that Bob Dylan song reminds us – The times they are a-changin’! Their courage to speak truth, ask tough questions and to tell new stories is what will shape our world.

Thank you Janet and Pippa. What you and the FEDA community of drama teachers and students do is incredible. It is powerful. It matters.

Support art in any way you can. It will move you too.

Yours in art, and with gratitude,
Carel