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Beautiful views, tranquil décor, and high-end luxury are all things you’re sure to find at dk villas’ three (and now four) guesthouse accommodations. But there is another: a love of local art, which is evident in the collections Johann and Petra have curated for their properties.
In this blog, we pay homage to the local artists whose gorgeous works dk villas has chosen for their new location in Hout Bay, as well as to the gallery (and gallery owner) that so passionately promotes them. Let’s travel to the Bay Gallery in Langebaan and meet local artists Erika Gricius, Antonia Velissariou Moshonas, Joan Schrauwen, and Kervin Cupido.
Daphne Devey and the Bay Gallery in Langebaan
Image source: www.bay-gallery.myshopify.com
It all starts with Daphne Devey, the owner of the Bay Gallery in Langebaan, where dk villas goes to find artwork to adorn the walls of their four rental accommodations: three of which are located in Hout Bay and one in Dwarskersbos on the West Coast.
“We always use Daphne Devey of the Bay Gallery in Langebaan,” says Petra de Kock. “She passionately promotes local artists and we love supporting her.”
The Bay Gallery has been supporting local West Coast artists for many years and provides a home for their unique art, both in-store and online. There is no restriction on the artistic medium one can discover here, either. The gallery exhibits many forms of quality local art, including paintings (oil, acrylic, water colour, and mixed media); sculpture (hand-crafted wood carving, ceramic, and fluorite); ceramics (handmade bowls and dishes); and printed (local interest cards, Frans Groenewald cards, and birthday calendars).
And with the fourth property in our portfolio nearing completion, the dk villas team took a trip to the Bay Gallery to handpick some artworks for the walls of our new apartment.
Meet the artists and their glorious artworks
— Thomas Merton
Erika Gricius
Artwork: ‘New shoes cure the blues’ by Erika Gricius
Erika Gricius is a West Coast artist who has been with the Bay Gallery for several years. She describes art as “her happy place” and is inspired by the beauty one can find in everyday life: in people, books, music, and quotes. Erika’s shoe paintings, of which she has done a fabulous series, began when she first painted her daughter’s wedding shoes. Her preferred medium is acrylic paint (in bold colours) and mixed media, often using collage as well. Erika also paints landscapes, still life, street scenes, and occasionally portraits, but it was her shoe artworks that dk villas fell in love with.
The artworks pictured above and below (plus another one not shown) are the three we’ve purchased for our new property.
Artwork: ‘Leopard print’ by Erika Gricius
Antonia Velissariou Moshonas
Artwork: ‘Franschhoek’ by Antonia Velissariou Moshonas
She may originally have been born in Greece but with more than 50 years under her belt here, Antonia is proudly South African and loves this country and its incredible natural beauty. She has been with the Bay Gallery in Langebaan since its conception—so, for over 20 years now.
Antonia’s oil paintings are a reflection of the beauty she sees in Langebaan and the Namaqualand, particularly in spring, when the wild flowers bloom. Her use of oils, the thickness thereof, and the brightness of the colours are remarkable, and she uses both brushes and palette knives to create her impactful art.
Antonia's paintings have travelled both locally and internationally and while her artwork most often evokes scenes from the West Coast of South Africa, she honours her Greek heritage with scenes of Greece as well, with its whitewashed buildings and the turquoise Aegean Sea in the background.
Artwork: ‘Farm fence’ by Antonia Velissariou Moshonas
Joan Schrauwen
Artwork: ‘Ruff on salt pans’ by Joan Schrauwen
Joan Schrauwen has established a formidable name for herself in the South African art scene, although she comes from a long line of artists. Her Grandfather, Tinus de Jongh, who arrived from Holland in 1921, was well known for his landscape artworks, as was his son, Gabriel (Joan’s uncle). Now, with her successful career as an artist, as well as children and grandchildren who all love painting, it’s safe to say that paint flows through the family’s veins.
Joan has held many exhibitions over the years (at one she even managed to sell every single painting). Some of her favourite subjects are birds, flowers, and otters and, with her residence on the banks of the Berg River, she has an endless supply of inspiration. Joan paints in many different media, using collage and pen and ink besides watercolour, pastel, and oil to exquisitely capture her subjects.
Joan has also compiled a stunning coffee table book with photographer Peter Pickford titled "West Coast: A Circle of Seasons"; has written a couple of novels; and has owned her own art gallery in Velddrif (but sold the property in 2008). She is an artist of stratospheric talents and dk villas is proud to hang her art on our walls.
Kervin Cupido
Artwork: ‘Old homestead’ by Kervin Cupido
Kervin Cupido is a talented and prolific multimedia artist and sculptor. He grew up in the hot winelands town of Paarl and is today actively involved in the community, as well as being a founding member of the Ebezweni Art Group.
After matriculating, Kervin attended the Sculpture Workshop at Daljosaphat Art Foundation in Paarl, where he received his training. He has since participated in numerous group exhibitions, as well as staging several solo exhibitions.
Kervin predominantly uses oil and acrylic paint to create masterpieces, most of which are focused on African landscapes and animals. His artworks can be found in many corporate and private collections all over the world, including the Western Cape Legislature and South African National Government offices.
Proud of our collection
The team here at dk villas takes enormous pride in curating exceptional spaces that exude wholly unique personalities. Now, having added these beautiful artworks to our luxury accommodations, we are more confident than ever that we can offer guests a truly unforgettable and beguiling experience!
