Open Studios event in Fish Hoek and Clovelly: A celebration of local art

The inaugural Open Studios Fish Hoek and Clovelly (OSFHC) kicked off today, Friday, October 3, and will showcase the artwork of 19 local artists throughout the weekend on Saturday, October 4, and Sunday, October 5.

In the build-up to the OSFHC, a large-scale art piece was installed earlier last month in the front windows of the 97-year-old family-run department store, AP Jones. (“‘A love letter to Fish Hoek’ as AP Jones store hosts large-scale art installation, False Bay Echo, October 2)

Artists, such as Susan Didcott, worked on a sculpture. There are paint pieces hanging by Marlise Keith and Sue Kaplan, and textile art by Yda Walt.

Artist and organiser of the event, Lauren Shantall, said the public were welcome to visit all 15 local art studios located within Fish Hoek and Clovelly. 

Ms Shantall said they approached AP Jones to place the art installation in their front windows as they saw it as an iconic location in Fish Hoek. “Hundreds of cars drive past the store on a daily basis, so we use their front window to let the people know that the open studio is happening,” she said.

Fish Hoek artist Mandy Johnston said she was taking part in this festival to build community. “I find in the modern age, the idea of community is very much needed; it has kind of fallen away due to social media and technology, so I participated to talk about the physicality of being, and being with each other, and supporting each other,” she said. 

Ms Johnston also did a live material burn as part of her display at her studio. Ms Johnston said she was interested in using various materials in her artwork. “I am interested in the connotations and the different values attributed to them. I am interested in what materials say, whether it is a figurative work or an abstract work,” she said.

Another Fish Hoek artist, Sue Kaplan, said she was excited to take part in the open studios event. “I spoke with the organisers and we said that we should get some culture in the community,” she said.  Ms Kaplan said it was the first time that Fish Hoek and Clovelly hosted this kind of event, as most people always visit art events in Kommetjie and Noordhoek.

She displayed her artworks in her studio next to her garden.