Ebony Gallery

The Fork, George Diederick During

The Heath family of artists from Kwazulu Natal have been exhibited frequently in

the past yet it is rare to find their works appear on the open market. In Ebony’s

current Exhibition at their Franschhoek Gallery there is an opportunity to see a

unique selection of works previously shown at the Heath combined retrospective

at the Tatham in 2009.

Jack and Jane Heath, born and married in England, emigrated to South Africa in

1946 with their daughter Bronwen (Jinny) and son Jonathan. For the Heaths, this

move allowed them to teach and paint. Firstly in Port Elizabeth with Jack as head

of PE’s Art School and Jane in charge of the painting department (Fred Page was

one of their students). Then followed the move to Pietermaritzburg, with Jack as

the Chair of the Fine Art Dept at the University of Natal and Jane as lecturer. In

due course their daughter Jinny, one of their students, continued the family

tradition as a lecturer at the Department of Fine Art in the University of Natal.

The Heaths were strongly influenced by the British Modernists (and were

acquainted, through the Royal College of Art, with some of the influential artists

of the day including Stanley Spencer and Paul Nash). This tradition, combined

with the African landscape into which they arrived provided a rich and fertile vein

of creativity. Jack Heath’s powerful, vibrant and sometimes visually eviscerating

abstract works from the 50’s and 60’s are experimental in form and in his use of

materials .

However, they are completely mesmerising. Jane Heath was a more private and

lyrical artist, whose still lives and abstract compositions sparkle with freshness,

yet on inspection reveal a highly complex, individual and sensitive painter.

Unsurprisingly, Jinny Heath has drawn up the influence of both of her parents but

she retains a very singular style. Still a modernist, Jinny Heath’s works are unique

to the South African artistic landscape. Her paintings are perfectly crafted with

exquisite modelling, texture and use of light. They invite the viewer to explore

and be enveloped.

Ebony's Franschhoek and Camps Bay spaces continue to showcase an impressive

and varied selection of South African design plus some unique works of art.

Curated by Marc Stanes, the ever changing collection at Ebony encompasses a

wide variety of paintings, photography and sculptures. Following their highly

successful Winter exhibition which focused on a series of rare works by George

Diederick During and the Heath family Ebony continues to source specific pieces

for private collectors. Ebony works with several contemporary artists such as

Ndikhumbule Ngqinambe, Dylan Lewis, Katherine Glenday, Jane Eppel, Sibusiso

Duma, Nicolene Swanepoel etc etc and also stock classic pieces by Peter Clarke,

Jan Buys, Gordon Vortser, Cecil Skotnes and many others.

About Ebony

Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands is home to Ebony which is a unique and

exclusive design space that showcases the best in modern South African furniture,

home accessories and fine art. The team at Ebony design a range of bespoke,

contemporary South African furniture and also work with the leading creators

from across the country. The company offers an interior design service advising

on numerous design projects both in SA and abroad. Ebony has built a strong

relationship with world renowned and collectible South African artists whose

work can be seen at the EBONY gallery.

For more read: www.ebonydesign.co.za

Jack Heath Untitled ( Red and Blue) 1959

Jack Heath Study for Thornveld 1965

Jinny Heath Green Still Life with two Pears 1995

Jane Heath White Cloth 1974 Oil on board

Jane Heath Yellow Landscape 1974

Abstract in Red and Black, Charles Gassner

Hannes Harrs 1970 Mixed Media on board

Leopards in an Abstract Landscape Gordon Vorster

The Smoker, George Diederick During