Page 6 - Cape-Camera-Nov-Dec-2022

November/December 2022 Cape Camera

Print exhibition is a new CTPS Milestone

When the next chapter of CTPS history is written, the current exhibition of members’
work at Groot Constantia Wine Estate is sure to feature as a highlight

by Trudi du Toit

The highlight of the CTPS photographic year is undoubtably phen Gibson. They were also professionally mounted. Care was
the exhibition of prints by 51 of our members in the wine cel- exercised to include at least one print from every one of the 51
lar of the Groot Constantia Wine Estate. This exhibition, curated club members who submitted images.
by Anna Engelhardt and her excellent team, is still showcasing Hanging the almost 150 prints so that they tell a cohesive story
the work of our club members to all the holidaymakers visiting throughout all the rooms of the Groot Constantia wine cellar,
Groot Constantia until the end of the year (31 December). required some intricate planning. This included prior measure-
Jean Naude, CEO of Groot Constantia, generously granted an ments of all the exhibition area walls by Richard and Joyce Gold-
extension of the exhibition, initially planned for 9 to 21 Novem- schmidt and Mike de Villiers. Anna had Jumbo size prints made
ber, until 31 December so that it can be viewed by all the people of all the entries, which she plotted on a scaled drawing. When
that frequent this popular destination during the busy holiday planning the final hanging positions, Kim Stevens and Lesley
period. If you haven’t had a chance to visit the exhibition yet, Parolis helped Anna to plot and plan the correct sequences by
please try to do so before the end of the year – and encourage arranging the prints along the length of the long passage in her
your friends to join you. home.
There are many synergies between CTPS and Groot Constantia: All this preparation assisted the “hanging team” – Richard, Joyce,
both are the first of their kind in South Africa, namely an ama- Mike, Marius Stockenstrom, Anna, Lesley, and Kim, with some
teur photographic society and a wine estate. In addition, the assistance from Jenny Powis and Johan Greeff – to complete
idea of a photographic society (CTPS) was first discussed by two the job within two days and get all the lines straight before the
esteemed Cape Town gentlemen in 1890 while imbibing alco- official opening on the 9th of November. Jacoba van Zyl and
hol in a pub. Groot Constantia’s vineyard, producing the wines Andre Mouton were also among the dedicated team who made
famous across the world, were established some 200 years be- sure that the exhibition was curated to a professional standard.
fore in 1685. Studies have shown that being involved in creativity contributes
The 143 prints on display bear testimony to the high standard to a better frame of mind – among others, reducing depression,
of work achieved by current CTPS members. Indeed, they are reducing stress, and improving immunity, Martin Osner told the
worlds removed from the early days when huge plate cameras 100-odd CTPS members and guests at the official opening. The
were transported by ox wagons or horse-drawn carts when the well-known fine art photographer, teacher and gallery owner
club members, attired in bow ties, suits and bowler hats, went also quoted Andy Warhol who responded to a question with
on outings. These “early days” are commemorated with a histori- the advice: “don’t think about making art – just do it” and cau-
cal poster and old prints that form part of the exhibition. tioned the guests never to undervalue themselves.
The digital images on display, selected by Anna Engelhardt and When looking at the work of club members on display it is clear
her dedicated team from about 200 submitted by club mem- that the curating team certainly did not undervalue the club
bers, were printed by fine arts printer and CTPS member Ste- members’ creativity. View exhibition brochure.

6 Cape Town Photographic Society