I Adore Red – Jean Campbell

Description

Definitely qualify as coffee table book.

Condition: Excellent; appears new and unread.

72 Pages, Paperback, 24.5×24.5×0.8cm

An outspoken autobiography with pictures by the admired South African artist Jean Campbell. She believes her association with artist Vladimir Tretchikoff, who was a next-door neighbour in Sea Point and who taught her, resulted in her being failed by the Michaelis School of Art in her final year in 1954.

This was due, she asserts, to the hostility towards Tretchikoff from the so-called New Group led by Walter Battiss and Gregoire Boonzaier. She has strong words on a number of subjects, principally on the art establishment and its various members.

Ref. Jean comments on her approach to painting in her monologue ’I Adore Red’ published by Jean Campbell Contemporary Art publishers 2008

EDUCATION, PROJECTS & EMPLOYMENT:

1951-1952
Studied Graphic Design at Michaelis Art School, UCT and took evening classes with Vladimir Tretchikoff

1953
Employed by Ramsay, Son & Parker where she learnt about publishing and followed her mother to England where she was employed as an Artist in an advertising firm; Rupert and Curtis and two years later by Kinghams

1958
Jean returned to South Africa and married Robert Hawker Kingdon. Was employed by Lindsay Smithers.

1969
Decided to paint full time and purchased a small cottage in 84 Dean Street. Assisted Tretchukoff in his Bishopscourt studio.
Agreed to become guardian for Gabriella le Roux and moved to Pietermaritzburg to be close to Gabriella’s grandmother.  Made friends with Faith Stanistreet, a weaver and purchased carding brushes, spinning wheels and looms to weave Karakul rugs which she sold at Helen de Leeuw’s gallery in Hyde Park, Johannesburg. Employed 32 Zulu women and found it a satisfying trade.

1979
Returned to Cape Town to resume her career as an artist and enrolled at the Foundation School of Art in Observatory.

1980-1988
Enrolled and qualified for a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Stellenbosch as a special student. Paul Emsley was one of lecturers.