The quiet genius of South African artist Aviwe Plaatje

Aviwe Plaatje was born in South Africa and continues to paint there. He had informal training as an artist and Kiaf Soeul is his second art fair after 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair. His work deserves great contemplation. His subjects are often male but not always and usually set in leisure, gracefully contemplating life or relaxing with family or friends. Whether they are smoking a cigarette or simply daydreaming the focus is on the male figure. These are familiar beings to the artist and that is obvious considering the comfort and intimacy with which he paints. The subjects are rendered within familiar surroundings, either at home or close to it. They're never far from the Africa they know best. We look forward to seeing him at more art fairs in the future.

1 Aviwe Plaatje, Umalusi Uyazazi, (the shepherd knows himself) 2022

Artist Profile: European scenery with South Korean artist Kwon Hye Jo

Kwon Hye Jo is another South Korean artist I was lucky to find at Kiaf Soeul 2022. He captivated me with his street scenes of various European cities. From market squares to basilicas there was no shortage of European gems to be seen. I particularly liked the Wroclaw painting. Its colourful take of a row of historic houses cast a new light on the Polish city. Other works worth noting include the Borough Market, a Holiday in Paris, and a restaurant scene in Germany. Kwon Hye Jo captures the unforgettable like a tourist on vacation. Nothing is off limits, not even a chandelier hanging in the halls of a castle. His works show his talent as an artist worthy of international acclaim and we hope this isn't the last we see of him. 

Holiday in Paris, 2021

Part II: Kiaf Soeul, South Korea at its finest

Kiaf Soeul proved itself to be the international affair that it is. South Korea is the leading Asian art market and it was fitting that it showed such a wide array of artists. From Kwon Hye Jo's European street scenes to Oliver Okolo's portraits there were surprises everywhere. Nobody was left behind. Instead, Kiaf Soeul showcased the finest artists it could find in the heart of South Korea. I hope the newly discovered will continue to show on the international arena.  And I wish that Korean artists receive the acclaim they deserve both at home and abroad. 

Kwon Hye Jo, Borough Market, 2022, South Korean

Kiaf Soeul 2022: an art fair in the heart of Asia

Held in South Korea, Kiaf Soeul showcased both Korean as well as international artists over a four day period. The show dominated with South Korean artists. But Kiaf Soeul spotlighted emerging artists from the international arena as well. Here are my picks below. You'll find artists from South Africa, as well as Canada, and even Ireland.

Andy Dixon, Patron's Home Seoul, 2022, Canadian

The comical in South Korean artist Hana Kwon's art

Youth is a central theme in artist Hana Kwon’s artwork, food is second. Discovered at the Kiaf Soeul 2022 art fair in South Korea I found myself drawn to this artist for a variety of reasons. First, she celebrates the self by her warm depictions of a young girl in the throes of her youth. Second, she dramatizes those life experiences by showing a young woman’s aspirations bound together with cute renderings tied to food and other elements. The works are reminiscent of a cartoon in the most delightful way. Kwon reaches higher with each new work and shows that her emotions are inextricably linked to food, dreams and growing up. Together they display her maturity and sense of humour all the at the same time.

1 Flying Girl, 2022

Finding Joy with Irish artist Mary Ronayne

At the heart of Mary Ronayne's art is leisure at its finest. The Irish painter draws from a number of sources to create everyday scenes full of laughter and joy. Wholesome, whimsical and full of fun the scenery is comical as it is sophisticated. The leisurely class is shown in a variety of events all of which are rich in mood and setting. I discovered this artist at Kiaf Soeul 2022 art fair. Ironically, she escaped my radar for far too long. I like the playfulness which she employs in her work. Never tired, her subjects come alive at the stroke of her brush showing the audience what life could be like if you belong to the right crowd. Never snobby, her work shows the everlasting joy of life wherever she goes. 

1 Mary Ronayne, Celeste's Liquid Lunch with Friends, 2021