Eastern Cape attorney, Cecil Kerbel in collaboration with artist and fine art journalist, Jeanne Wright, has published a book on one of South Africa’s foremost surrealist artists, Fred Page, who died in 1984. Cecil Kerbel knew Page for many years and always believed that the artist did not receive the recognition he deserved during his lifetime. He approached Wright with the project two years ago. Page spent his entire working life in the city of Port Elizabeth and he is acknowledged to be one of a handful of artists who documents with some accuracy, the city in which he lived. His work covers many aspects of the city’s inner life and the city’s buildings, which form the back drop to his subject matter.
The book together with an accompanying exhibition of Page’s works is to be launched on Monday the 12th December at Stephen Welz Co’s showroom in Cape Town, at the Alphen Hotel between 18:00 and 21:00. Welz and Co will be hosting the exhibition of Page works which are on loan from local private collections. Dr. Fred Scott, well-known authority on art and art collections, will open the exhibition in conjunction with the launch of the biography. The exhibition will provide the public with a unique opportunity to view a body of the artist’s work. It showcases work from Page’s early beginnings to some of his last works. The exhibition is open to the public until the 12th of January between 09:00 and 17:00.
“Page’s paintings, drawings and engravings display a profound autobiographical legacy, an artistic testament, which I interpret as a remarkable revelation of both his originality and his alternative lifestyle,” said Dr. Fred Scott.
The book entitled “Ringmaster of the Imagination,” is available nationally at all leading book stores. Members of the public are welcome to attend the book launch by emailing a RSVP list to Stephan Welz and Co (Karen-leigh@stephanwelzandco.co.za).
The entire book was conceived, written, designed and published in Port Elizabeth.
