A photography exhibition on display in Stellenbosch is considered to be the largest in the Western Cape this year.
This was according to Coert Venter, a member of Ignite, the Photographic Club that organised the exhibition.
Ignite’s exhibition consists of 275 pieces that are on display at the PJ Olivier Art School in Stellenbosch from 12 to 24 August, said Venter.
It cannot be officially verified that the exhibition is the largest in the Western Cape, said Vermeulen.
However, “being in the photographic club scene for a number of years, we know about all exhibitions that take place”, said Vermeulen.
“Previously, the Western Cape Interclub Photography event was the biggest, producing up to 144 pieces for exhibition,” said Venter.
“This year, it was the biggest exhibition by different photographers and clubs in the Western Cape,” according to Ockert Vermeulen, head of marketing for Ignite.
Artists whose works are on display at the PJ Olivier Art School represent various photography styles, said Coert Venter (pictured above), a member of the Ignite Photographic Club. The club hosted the largest photo gallery exhibition in the Western Cape this year, from 12 to 24 August, according to Venter. PHOTO: Thameenah Daniels
Providing a platform
The exhibition provides a platform for these photographers to get their work into the public domain, said Cheyenne Britten, a visual arts student at Stellenbosch University.
They are able to sell their work and reap rewards after spending hours on the production, said Britten.
The Ignite photographic club allows anyone to participate in exhibiting their work, said Vermeulen. The club does not choose the photographs, each photographer works on their display throughout the year and there was no specific theme for this year, added Vermeulen.
“We have monthly meetings where we present the progress of our work and other members have the opportunity to ask questions and assist with challenges,” he said.
Ignite invited five additional Western Cape-based clubs as well as school pupils to participate, said Venter. Their work is on exhibition on the first floor of the building, stated Venter.
Photography is very simple to execute, sometimes all you need is a window, according to Greta van Heerden, an artist whose work is being exhibited at the Ignite Photographic Club’s exhibition, which was held in Stellenbosch from 12 to 24 August. PHOTOS: Thameenah Daniels
A new perspective
The exhibition offers viewers the opportunity to experience the world “through a different lens”, according to Britten.
“The thing is people think [taking photos is] impossible, but it’s actually very possible,” said Gretha van Heerden, a photographer whose work was on display at the exhibition.
Gretha van Heerden (pictured above), a photographer whose work is on display at the Ignite photography exhibition, joined Ignite’s Photographic Club a year ago, she said. Most of the photos she takes are of the flowers in her garden, said Van Heerden. PHOTO: Thameenah Daniels