“But the painter of the future is a colourist such as there hasn't been before”.
- VINCENT VAN GOGH -
Meet René
René is a talented artist and a passionate lover of colour. Born in Kimberley and raised in Cape Town, René's artistic journey began after completing a Diagnostic Radiography diploma at CPUT in 1990. Working as a Radiographer at Tygerberg Hospital and Private Radiology Practices, specializing in Cardiac Imaging, CT, and MRI. In 1993, she took a sabbatical and completed an Interior Decorating diploma.
Her life would not be complete without her love for nature and more so her love for her dogs. Old English Sheepdogs became part of her DNA since 1993 when she got her first one called Dána.
Since then she has had many over the years, showed them, imported some of them and also bred them, but before all these things they are part of her family, her life, of her being. They are always by her side.
In 1994 she moved to George, where she alongside her husband, helped to established multi-modality Radiology practices in the Southern Cape. While continueing to practising radiography part-time, she became the Practice Manager and Chief Financial Officer for Dr WE Scribante. During the Covid pandemic, she studied the Italian language. She is the chairperson for the Southern Cape region of the Mercedes-Benz Club of South Africa and takes a 1913 Benz on regular rallies. Her true passion, however lies in the world of art.
René’s artistic journey
René's journey in the art world began with art lessons with Liz Stumke and later exhibitions alongside the Wilderness Art Group and workshops with renowned artists. She became a member of South Cape Association for Visual Arts (SCAVA) in August 2015.
She exhibited at Strydom Gallery in George and the Klein Karoo Klassique, and formed part of the Wilderness Art Group. She curated her own and other artists’ work in Oudtshoorn for their gallery at the Queens Hotel. Her solo exhibition, A Vincent van Gogh 125 year commemoration, was featured on SABC TV on the de Kat programme. As a member of South Cape Association for Visual Arts (SCAVA) she took part in several group exhibitions and was awarded a merit award at an annual SCAVA competition. Currently she serves and curates as the chairperson of SCAVA.
René's art captures the essence of colour and light through her impressionist impasto technique.
“I just love the way it feels on the canvas when I put the strokes down, the heaviness of the paint on my brush, not mixing it on my palette, but rather on my canvas not knowing exactly how the paint colours will interact with one another”.
Since 2023 René spends her time fulltime in the world of art. As a member of SCAVA, she now serves as the chairperson, passionately promoting the visual arts in the South Cape region. She curated the Friends & I exhibition earlier in 2024, at the beloved Spin Street Art Gallery in Cape Town, which included the works of 10 artists from George.
"For the Love of Colour" defines René's artistic journey, and she continues to inspire and engage with fellow artists and art enthusiasts through her monthly Coffee with local Artists gatherings.
Breast Cancer Awareness
May you always find the light
René was intimately involved in the management of a Radiology practice for most of her professional life. Through her paintings in contrasting tonal values, and her extensive radiography background which spans many decades, René has become involved with Breast Cancer Awareness by producing commissioned prints and delicate scarves as a token of appreciation for mammography patients in the Southern Cape.
Breast cancer is a prevalent global issue, and René believes that education about regular screenings is a vital key in empowering individuals to take charge of their health. The aim of this ongoing artistic campaign is to honour women and encourage and educate them by creating awareness for maximum positive impact.