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Art students’ pilgrimage and learning from Willem Boshoff

23 February 2022 | Story Rulanzen Martin | Photo Rian Horn

Towards the end of 2021, a group of Fine Arts students – both undergraduate and postgraduate – were among the first visitors to the Word Woes exhibition by Prof Willem Boshoff, affiliated UFS A-1 NRF-rated scholar, at the Javett Art Centre in Pretoria. It was as if a new world had opened to experience the art first-hand, and the VIP tour by Willem Boshoff was definitely the cherry on top. The exhibition opens on 13 March 2022.

Prof Boshoff, South Africa’s only NRF A-rated scholar in the arts, is an affiliated scholar and artist in the Department of Fine Arts at the University of the Free State (UFS). The ‘enriching’ trip was made possible through generous funding from Dr Engela van Staden, Vice-Rector: Academic. The purpose of the trip was twofold; it was an opportunity for students to visit an art gallery, and also to “enrich the learning and teaching of the Fine Arts programme by exposing the students to a large art gallery and excellent art exhibitions”, according to Lecturer Adelheid von Maltitz.

“The educational value and professional exposure to high-level experts in their field are the most important input for the students,” Dr Van Staden said. The department plans to conduct annual visits to art galleries outside of the Free State.

UFS Fine Arts privileged to be associated with Prof Boshoff

Prof Willem Boshoff is an enigma in his own right; he is an internationally renowned artist and academic who has been involved with the UFS for more than 10 years, and his involvement with the Department of Fine Arts brings an invaluable opportunity for students and staff alike. “This allows our students to gain insight into his artistic practice, which in turn may positively impact their own,” says Vol Maltitz.

The duality of the Word Woes exhibition

The title of the exhibition reflects the very brand of Willem Boshoff and is a retrospective of the works spanning his artistic practice, as per the Javett Art Centre website. The words ‘Word Woes’ can be understood in English or Afrikaans. “In either language the two words look identical, but their meanings differ sharply. Read in English, the title WORD WOES bemoans difficult issues around words and language. Read in Afrikaans, the same words liberate, prompting us to let go and be wild.”

Visit the Javett Art Centre website for more information.

Video by: Rian Horn (Odd Looking Tree)

News Archive

Four Kovsies play in the Chile/Belgium series

2015-02-10

Nicole Walraven, Lethabo Maebana (SRC: Media and Marketing), Tanya Britz, Kerry-beth Berry (SRC: Day- and Commuting Students), Cornelle Botha, Liné Malan, and Dominique De Gouveia (SRC: Sport)

Tanya Britz, Nicole Walraven, Cormelle Botha, and Liné Malan turned out for the Protea hockey team in the two series against Chile and Belgium in Cape Town from 22 January to 2 February.

Britz has been playing for the senior Protea team since her matric year at Sentraal High School, but for Walraven, Botha, and Malan this series marked their debut for the senior national hockey team. The series against Chile and Belgium both ended in draws for the Protea women’s team.

Shortly before the end of the series against Belgium, the three Kovsies making their debut for the senior national hockey team had the following to say to the Volksblad:

“It was unbelievably inspiring to stand next to these incredible players wearing the Green and Gold and to sing the national anthem in front of a home crowd. It was worth all the hard work and dedication. The support and acceptance of my team mates helped calm my nerves when the whistle blew. It was such an honour – it still feels like a dream. (Nicole Walraven)

“It is an indescribable feeling, something that I dreamt about for years. The nerves niggled before the game, but it was such a huge privilege and honour to play in the Protea colours.” (Cornelle Botha)

“It’s difficult to describe the feeling a person experiences when you sing the national anthem wearing the Green and Gold. It was a feeling of pride; the accompanying excitement felt as if I had a thousand butterflies in my stomach. It’s a moment I shall never forget and a dream come true.” (Liné Malan)

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