Local artists showcase masterpieces in Rosebank

Two experienced local fine art artists will have their masterpieces displayed to the public at this year’s Rotary Art Festival taking place at Rosebank Mall from 30 May to 9 June.

Sarah Carter, popularly known as Sara Siân in the art world (a Welsh name given to her by her grandfather) and Tony Matthews, who both belong to an art group called Figures & Form based in Parkhurst, will join over 100 other artists who jointly will showcase over 500 artworks at the mall for a week.

The proceeds from the event will go to the Rosebank Rotary Arts Expo which support different charities.

The duo, with British upbringing and tons of visual art experience, residing in the precinct of Strubens Valley, dived deep into their individual art journeys and the cause which they are supporting by exhibiting their pieces in Rosebank.

“I started in art in 1959. I studied it at Witwatersrand Technikon for Arts for three years and then I moved to England where I worked for an agency. I moved back to South Africa and worked for an advertising agency before starting my own, and running it for 14 years,” said Matthews, who said that his wife’s passing revitalised his God-given talent for art. “When my wife passed away, I seriously went back to fine art again and I’ve been doing it for the past 10 years – doing almost exclusively portrait work, which I do on a privately commissioned based,” he explained, citing that he has not had much exposure to art galleries.

Sarah, whose art journey has earned her masses of recognition, including elite exhibitions here and in England, also shed light on her experience. “I studied at Liverpool’s John Moores University in the United Kingdom, where I had my first exhibitions as a student, doing mainly architectural stuff, and had my first official exhibition in 1992. I then moved to Brighton where I had more exhibitions. There I used to do a show once a year where you would exhibit in hotels,” she recalled.

As part of her stunning journey, Sarah revisited the moment when her art work was presented to His Royal Highness (HRH) Prince Charles. “I was asked by the West Pier Trust to do a painting of the West Pier, which is a derelict Grade I listed building. The painting was handed over to HRH Prince Charles,” she reminisced.

After this, she said she travelled around the world, during which time she found her husband and decided to settle in South Africa after exploring the African continent. She started a family here, and a dècor company, which she’s been running for 15 years.

“After running my business, I rekindled my passion for art about a year ago,” she said. During her comeback, she joined forces with the famous David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation by getting involved in a campaign called #sketchforwildlife, which involves artists creating beautiful sketches in a short period of time and selling them to those who donate a certain amount to a wildlife charity.

The duo also expressed their opinion of the art industry in South Africa compared to the world.

“There are many emerging artists coming up all over Africa, especially in South Africa. I think it’s a new market – with the very elite and trendy in charge. However, with art sales – I think it’s changing all over the world – even art galleries are no longer the be all and end all because of social media,” Sarah explained.

Apart from following their work at exhibitions, both artists can be found on social media, which they use for marketing and private sales.

Follow Sarah on Facebook and Instagram as sarasianart and Tony as Tony Matthews Portraits on Instagram.