Exhibition explores nature

Beyond Knowing Nature, a group exhibition by Sophie Niemann, Hennie van der Berg and Ann Watt at the Cape Gallery in Church Street will be opened by Johann Nel on Sunday September 2, at 4.30pm. It runs until Friday September 28.

Emotion compassion meaning and beauty are pathways to experiencing nature. It is believed that feeling connected with nature is beneficial to well-being and pro-environmental behaviour. What binds these artists is their love of the natural world and their unique way of expressing this.

Sophie Niemann is a British born artist who has lived in Africa for the past 20 years. In 1996 she moved to Botswana with a BSc in Zoology. There she became a field guide, wild life researcher, worked for a conservation community organisation and finally set up her own field guide training academy.

“I aim to touch a wider audience who not only enjoy my creations, but who I trust form a connection with the wonders of nature, in the hopes of raising awareness to support conservation initiatives,” she said.

Anne Watt said her work was inspired by the colour and light she experienced living in the Lowveld.

“The rural settings and vibrant clothes weave their way into my work. People ease into these scenes. I have lived in Scotland, Papua New Guinea, Australia and South Africa. The colours have changed with each country, but now Africa is in my soul. When you paint with your heart, you know you are on the correct path.’’

Nature, especially rock formations, mountains, clouds and trees are Hennie van der Berg’s inspiration.

He was born in 1949 in Bloemfontein and, growing up on a farm, nature was life and life was nature. After studying at the University of the Free State he worked as a geologist for 40 years. He is now a full-time artist.