I spent my childhood and teenage years, as the daughter of a prominent Pretoria hotelier. Consequently, I have always been surrounded with thrilling events and ‘larger-than-life’ individuals. It was ‘run-of-the-mill’ to meet and socialize with a steady flow and fascinating variety of international and local celebrities. Actors, singers, directors, sport-stars and politicians were guests at our table.

I still treasure an ‘Autograph’ book, which accompanied me wherever I went. I have the autograph of Olivia Hussey (Romeo and Juliette) which I secured at Nairobi airport in. We were travelling on the same plane from Heathrow to South Africa (1969) and she, as well as the others stars, director and film crew, where on their way to Cape Town where she was to star in ‘Ryan’s Daughter’.

Eventually, I developed a habit to document significant events and objects and my camera became a faithful and constant companion. Fortunately I am now in possession of many treasured, historical and delightful moments that have been recorded over the years. On one specific occasion in 1994, I was unaware that I had been photographed by the late Abri Swiegers during the historic visit of Nelson Mandela to the Dutch Reformed Church in Lynnwood, Pretoria. I was filled with surprise and gratitude when more than a year later, he unexpectedly presented me with the treasured image.

36) Inspirational talk: ‘PRECIOUS CIRCLE’ at the Lyceum Club for Greek Women Johannesburg
36) Inspirational talk: ‘PRECIOUS CIRCLE’ at the Lyceum Club for Greek Women Johannesburg

‘You are an inspirational genius! (Danny Paragas: collector New York 11th March 2005)

24) Auke de Vries at Nirox
24) Auke de Vries at Nirox

Next to one of the sculptures by the Dutch artist, Auke de Vries, at NIROX Sculpture Park at the opening of his exhibition ‘A Gentle Invasion’  2nd February

20) With Vikas Swarup, at his farewell party 2009 — at Residence of the Indian High Commissioner
20) With Vikas Swarup, at his farewell party 2009 — at Residence of the Indian High Commissioner

‘What a marvellous piece of work – your prose is as good as your paintings.

When is your debut novel coming out? All the best Vikas’

19) With Vikas Swarup at the Greek National day celebrations at The Sheraton Hotel, Pretoria
19) With Vikas Swarup at the Greek National day celebrations at The Sheraton Hotel, Pretoria

Photo: Takis Konstantoupoulos

26/09/2006

I remembered after I’d sent my last reply to you that I’d forgotten to let you know how much I enjoyed reading your piece.  There were snatches in it of the style in which Antjie Krog wrote “A Change of Tongue”.

Vikas Swarup

08) On the set of the Warner Brother’s movie ‘DUMAS’
08) On the set of the Warner Brother’s movie ‘DUMAS’

With my nephew, Alexander Michaletos and his pet cheetah Both became famous after ‘DUMAS’ was released on the International Movie circuit.

 

‘Your work is filled with joy and purpose and it is this that holds the world together. Some people mistakenly believe that the glue is economics.’

‘Without art society falls into chaos and dissolves’ says Herbert Read

So don’t ever stop doing it!!

My visit to you some time ago reminded me also not to stop making Art Thanks!’

(Anton van der Merwe, potter Hogsback)

 

2005 ‘You are way above – a class of your own’ (Ray Wicksell)

07) Hosted by Claude Challe (Buddha Bar)
07) Hosted by Claude Challe (Buddha Bar)

Hosted by Claude Challe (Buddha Bar) at his apartment at the Place de la Bastille, during my first residency at the Cite Internationale des Arts, Paris, Nov. and Dec. 2000

06) A photo-shoot for Mrs South Africa, at the Lost City
06) A photo-shoot for Mrs South Africa, at the Lost City

‘I always maintain that for the artist to express beauty,

it MUST come from within… from the beautiful soul.

This is in fact what viewers of the art receive/enjoy (a little piece of the artist’s soul…)

As art is indeed an expression of soul…’ (Lynda Gibson)

03) Visit Vladimir Tretchikoff
03) Visit Vladimir Tretchikoff

I took a visiting Russian artist whom I was promoting in SA, to meet and visit Vladimir Tretchikoff at his home in Bishop’s Court Cape Town 1990. My first visit to him was in 1973