BEAUTY: Ceramics--Hylton Nel

As South African conceptual artist, sculptor, and ceramicist Hylton Nel says of himself, "Been doing this for 50 years." Over that time, he has created a charming body of work but I am most drawn to his pieces featuring script. I love his sculptures and vases, but the plates are special: lovely works of art, but I would like to use them as functional plates as well...

https://hyltonnel.co.za/HOME

BEAUTY: Painting--Andre Serfontein

With yesterday's posting of Travis Collinson's exaggerated figures in mind (seen here), let's look at the paintings of Cape Town artist Andre Serfontein. Instead of exaggerating the eyes like Collinson, he paints his models with sensual, elongated necks.

Top to bottom: Braced; Cityslicker; Empty Crisis; Eutierria; Fractured Dream; He cried a lot but he stood his ground; Milk and Honey; Monkey on the Shoulder; Paradise Recovered; Porthole; The Crossing; The Fur

https://www.andreserfontein.com/

Alice & Fifth

If you're in Johannesburg, South Africa looking for a place to celebrate the new year, perhaps you could give the newly opened Alice & Fifth restaurant and nightclub a try. The fantastic decor by interior designer Tristan Plessis combines the glamour of Hollywood Regency (I love the paneled wall that warps up onto the ceiling!) with more industrial touches (exposed cement and raw wood).

https://www.facebook.com/aliceandfifth/

BEAUTY: Interior--Etienne Hanekom

When South African interior designer Etienne Hanekom purchased his home, he designed it with a truly eclectic vision. See if you can spot which space is the kitchen (it is the ultimate in thinking outside of the box)!

http://www.etiennehanekom.com/

BEAUTY: Mixed Media--Turiya Magadlela

These fun, colorful pieces by South African artist Turiya Magadlela utilize nylon and cotton pantyhose and fishnet stockings on canvas with sealant. I love the palette, and the unexpected material which, according to the artist, speaks to a more weightier and profound idea: the "fragility, transparency, beauty, pain, distortions and liberations of a woman." Magadlela won the prestigious FNB Art Prize last year and this year exhibited work at The Armory in New York City.

http://www.blankprojects.com/artists/turiya-magadlela/

"Phenomenal Woman" by Laura Mvula

Just try not to smile while watching this wildly colorful, joyful video of Laura Mvula (previously here) singing "Phenomenal Woman" filmed in the Bo-Kaap area of Cape Town, South Africa.

Nobody ever told her she was beauty
One day, she realized she was already free
The color in her eyes was fire rising
She found the light inside, a new horizon

Oh my my, oh my, she flies

She battled trials and every kind of tribulation
She reveled in adventure and imagination
She never listened to no hater, liar
Breaking boundaries and chasing fire

Oh my my, oh my, she flies

It don't matter what people say
Cause they don't know you, where you come from or where you're going
You are phenomenal woman
You are phenomenal, phenomenal!

http://www.lauramvula.com/

BEAUTY: Painting--Kirsten Sims

South African artist Kirsten Sims is a gifted illustrator. She creates naïve, whimsical scenes that remind me of the quirky work of the great Maira Kalman (previously here). Both women seem to be drawn to joyful narratives.

The following images are from Sims' second solo show called "You Are Here," shown last month (April 2016) at the Cape Town gallery Salon 91.

Top to bottom: Capetonian Sundowner; Fairweather Family Photograph; Limoncello; Loosely Based On Real Events; Never Ever Land; Night Bus To Nowhere; Night In Shining Armour; No Tinder At The Table; Spirit Animal Convention; The Feminists; The Sky Was Faking It; You Are Here

http://kirstensims.myportfolio.com/