Arts writer

BABOON Matters is holding a charity Art Auction this Thursday with a range of art on offer. Telephone bidding will be allowed. The event will run at Bistro 1682 on Steenberg Estate, Steenberg.

Artists such as Andrew Cooper, Beezy Bailey, Andries Botha, Wilma Cruise, David Kuijers, Michaela Rinaldi, Zapiro, Chaz Williams, Nadia Kleyn, Monique Koning, Eugenia Campbell and Tanya Nockler will support the auction.

Says Baboon Matters co-founder Jenni Trethowan, “After years of working quietly behind the scenes and advocating for more humane management of baboons, we recently received a bequest that has allowed us to take a more pro-active and visible stance on issues that concern us. We hope that our Art Auction will raise the funds required for in-depth, scientifically-backed feasibility studies into possible alternatives to what we feel are currently unsustainable management methods.”

“Our auction has drawn support from some of Cape Town’s most talented artists and sculptors, as well as knowledgeable auctioneer, Philip Powell, who has invited some of his favourite emerging artists to take part. We would like to invite not just art buyers, but anyone that would like to help us find solutions, to a great evening out in a spectacular venue which will include unique foraged fynbos and seashore canapes created from plants that baboons themselves typically eat, and entertainment by jazz duo Dave Ledbetter and Amanda Tiffin.”

The auction’s lead artist, Andrew Cooper, is a self-taught artist from Tokai who started painting professionally in 1987, and is emerging as one of the city’s most successful landscape artists.

He prefers to work on large- scale landscape paintings and seascape paintings which allow the viewer to experience the grandeur and depth of the scene. His work is available from Red the Gallery in Steenberg Village.

Cooper says: “The vast majority of my work features mountains and natural environments where I enjoy fly-fishing and hiking. Both activities have developed in me a deep appreciation for nature and acknowledgment of the fine balance that exists in a whole eco-system. Protection of the baboons and other creatures sharing space with ever-increasing human urbanization needs continual addressing and monitoring in the hopes of creating harmony. Organisations like Baboon Matters do vital work for conservation and deserve our support & recognition”

l Tickets: R300. For more information: www.baboonmatters.org.za

Arts Editor

Artists step out in support of baboons