What’s on in Darling, Evita se Perron, Pieter-Dirk Uys, Evita Bezuidenhout,
Grant Wood – American Gothic (1930) It’s the first time we see Tannie Evita and Pieter-Dirk Uys in the same picture; the entrance to the Perron is visible in the background. This painting was used in Pieter’s Christmas cards at the end of 2009
Grant Wood – Woman with Plant(s) (1929) This less well-known work by the same artist is one I simply wanted to do. In it I spy Tannie Evita after those industrious and glorious years – no make-up, no spotlight. Who is she? …”
Marc Chagall – Portrait of Vava (1916) This painting of Chagall’s served very well to incorporate bits and pieces of Tannie Evita’s life. Behind her to the left is the entrance to the Perron with the dove of peace above it. Over her head is a portrait of her mother, Ouma Ossewania. On her right Chagall’s cow acquired Nguni markings and the Eiffel Tower became the Darling NG Church. The couple lower down is Tannie Evita and her husband, Oom Hasie, in their youth.
Irma Stern – Berber Girl (1945) Now two well-known South African expressionist painters have their turn. It is difficult to copy another person’s loose, expressive brush strokes and emotions, at the same time capturing Tannie’s features.
Rembrandt – – A Bust of a Young Woman Smiling (Saskia van Uylenburgh?) (1633) Rembrandt’s dark background and typical shaft of light on the face accentuate Evita’s mysterious qualities!
Raphael – Madonna del Granduca (1400/1500) In this first ‘Madonna’ I omitted the child, thus stressing the piety of Evita’s facial expression!
Maggie Laubser – Prostitute, Berlin (1920’s?)
Pablo Picasso – Seated Woman: Marie-Theresa Walker (1938) High time Picasso got into the picture. Tannie sports a set of red nails again as well as an African headdress
Andy Warhol – Marilyn Monroe (1962) Any reference to feminine beauty inevitably brings to mind Marilyn Monroe and Evita Bezuidenhout (and perhaps Evita’s sister Bambi?)
Amadeo Modigliani – Gypsy Woman with Baby (1919) Instead of the baby, it is the old South African flag being laid to rest
Leonardo da Vinci – Mona Lisa (1503) Mona Lisa acquired long red finger nails and Da Vinci’s little Italian town in the background was changed to Darling with the NG Church, Pieter’s house and the sea at Yzerfontein in the distance.
Eugene Delacroix – Liberty Leading the People (1830) I did this painting for Pieter-Dirk Uys’s show ‘Elections and Erections’ in the Baxter in April 2009. Pieter wrote the following comments on it: “In the original masterpiece by Delacroix the lady is topless. Not here. Our own Tannie appears much more chaste wearing a large, white Cross-Your-Heart bra, despite Zulu tradition which does without.” In the background, hardly visible in the fog and smoke of the rioting, are the Union Buildings. Behind Evita and the barricades the cadres and comrades respond to Tannie’s call to action. Among the first to react to her commands is Julius Malema, stumbling along on her left with guns in his hands and a Nando’s drumstick in the bag. Winnie, resurrected Mother of the Nation with her multi-thousand dollar specs, gazes up in admiration. Mind you, is that admiration or contempt? On Evita’s right, Mshowerlozi: our new president in his traditional uniform of skin and bones, the ever-present umshini wam in his hand and a somewhat surprised expression on his face. Behind him, tentative and unsure of himself, the figure of our former caretaker president, Kgalema Motlanthe. Of course everyone recognizes emeritus arch bishop Desmond Tutu on the extreme left – not at all amused. But who is that in the front of the picture lying amongst the planks and rubble of the barricades? Just one sock on his right foot, bottle in his hand, minus pants? Opposite Thabo Mbeki, quite out of this world with eyes serenely shut for the realities surrounding him, it’s Carl Nowork ‘No-car-No-money-No-nothing’ Niehaus.
Gustav Klimt – Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer 1 (1907) This work of art made the news towards the end of 2006 when it was sold for $135 million – the hightest price ever paid for a painting. We kicked off in 2007 with this painting which had been completed a century before
Frida Kahlo – Self-portrait with Necklace of Thorns (1940) Tannie loses her thorny necklace in exchange for a small South African flag. Instead of Frida’s leafy background, I put in prickly pears so typically Darling, and her plaited hair and dress make way for African styles. The hand bearing the small banner with a motto is not part of the original painting, but it is typical of Frida Kahlo’s art.
Goya – The Clothed Maja (±1797 – 1799) In the conservative Spain of Goya’s era a maja was a symbol of daring and liberty – just like our own Evita Bezuidenhout!
Tamara de Lempicka – Portrait of Ira P (1930) Pieter saw an exhibition of de Lempicka’s work and I decided on this portrait, since arum lilies quite naturally fit into the Darling scene. Tannie is not at all unhappy about the lovely art deco gown!
