22/06/2026
Contemporary African Artists at New Dual Exhibition to take place at Kupenda Africa Gallery and Wine Bar
MONTAGU — An exciting new exhibition featuring contemporary South African artists Sarel Petrus and Liz Maelane will open at Kupenda Africa Gallery and Wine Bar on Friday, 27 June, alongside a second upstairs exhibition showcasing the work of siblings Elzeth Jacobs and Seyffert Fourie.
The dual exhibition promises a rich exploration of memory, identity, materiality, and contemporary African expression through sculpture, ceramics, drawing, and limited-edition archival ink prints on canvas.
Known for his contemplative bronze and wood sculptures, Sarel Petrus explores humanity’s connection to nature through found objects, texture and material transformation. His work invites viewers into imagined landscapes shaped by forgotten histories and future possibilities.
Born in South Africa, Petrus graduated with a Fine Arts degree from Tshwane University of Technology in 2004 before spending eight years working in the studio of renowned sculptor Guy du Toit. During this period, he refined his bronze-casting practice while building a strong national exhibition profile.
His achievements include a Top 10 Award at the prestigious ABSA L'Atelier competition and a Sculpture Merit Award at the Thami Mnyele Awards.
Joining him in the exhibition is Johannesburg-born artist and educator Liz Maelane, whose multidisciplinary practice spans mixed-media animation, video, drawing, and installation art. Rooted in her Sepedi heritage and family ties to Limpopo’s Sekhukhune region, Maelane’s work investigates cultural memory, land politics and the evolving relationship between tradition and technology.
Maelane has lived and worked internationally, beginning her creative career in Nairobi as a writer, editor, and photographer before moving into film and interactive art in Los Angeles. She holds degrees from Tufts University and Stanford University, where she also taught courses in experimental animation, electronic art and Black digital cultures.
The pieces on exhibition form part of the Shiwe series, which includes open poster prints and limited-edition ink prints on canvas.
The upstairs gallery will feature ceramic sculptures by Elzeth Jacobs, and artwork by her brother, Seyffert Fourie in A Dialogue of Art . The exhibition presents a fascinating interplay between sculpture and painting, realism and abstraction, offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience two distinct artistic voices united by shared roots and a deep appreciation for nature.
Elzeth Jacobs presents an extraordinary collection of ceramic sculptures that demonstrate both technical mastery and imaginative depth. Her artistic journey has been shaped by a lifelong curiosity about materials and form. Early experimentation with cloth, paper, wax, mud, broken tiles, cement and stone laid the foundation for a tactile artistic language that continues to influence her contemporary ceramic practice.
Jacobs' formal training in occupational therapy enriched her understanding of creativity as a transformative force. Working primarily with stoneware, she creates intricate sculptural pieces that undergo a meticulous process of glazing, bisque firing and final glaze firing. Through this demanding craft, she bridges traditional ceramic techniques with contemporary artistic expression.
Her sculptures explore themes of duality and contrast: joy and sorrow, nature and modernity, light and darkness. Rich in symbolism and layered meaning, the works embrace elements of deconstruction and fantasy while inviting viewers to contemplate the delicate balances that define human experience. Animals and landscapes become more than visual subjects; they emerge as metaphors for beauty, mystery, endurance and transformation.
For Seyffert Fourie, art is both a passion and a refuge. Raised in the rural Free State of South Africa, he developed a profound love for nature from an early age, inspired by generations of farmers who learned to live in harmony with the land. His fascination with drawing began in childhood and was nurtured during his teenage years by a local artist who taught him the importance of tonal values and the dramatic relationship between light and shadow.
After setting art aside for many years, Fourie rediscovered his creative calling during the Covid-19 pandemic. What began as pencil sketches quickly evolved into an exploration of charcoal, his preferred medium, before expanding into dry pastels, oils and acrylics. Today, his canvases pulse with energy and emotion, portraying elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalo and other iconic wildlife subjects. His work masterfully combines realism with expressive abstract elements, using bold colour, striking contrasts and dynamic composition to capture qualities of pride, resilience and strength found throughout the animal kingdom.
The exhibition also reveals a deeply personal dimension of Fourie's journey. Following a diagnosis of an aggressive form of prostate cancer in May 2025, art has become both a source of comfort and a means of expression. His latest series of sunrise-inspired works reflects a spirit of optimism and determination, embodying the vibrant outlook he has chosen in the face of adversity.
Together, Jacobs and Fourie create a compelling artistic dialogue. Their works complement and challenge one another, revealing how different mediums and perspectives can converge to tell interconnected stories. The exhibition celebrates not only their individual talents but also the unique creative bond that exists between siblings who share a common heritage while, pursuing distinct artistic paths.
More than an art exhibition, A Dialogue of Art is an immersive experience. It is an invitation to reflect on contrast and harmony, strength and vulnerability, realism and imagination. Through painting and sculpture, the exhibition offers a powerful reminder of art's ability to connect us—to nature, to one another, and to the stories that shape our lives.
For visitors seeking thoughtful contemporary art inspired by the beauty of African wildlife and the complexities of the human experience, this collaborative exhibition promises a memorable and inspiring encounter.
Situated in the heart of Montagu’s growing arts district, Kupenda Africa Gallery and Wine Bar has become an increasingly important platform for contemporary African artists, combining fine art exhibitions with curated South African wines and a relaxed atmosphere.
The exhibitions open on 27 June 2026 at 6 pm and will be open weekdays 9 am to 5 pm, and Saturdays 9 am to 7 pm. The wine for the exhibition opening is presented in collaboration with Excelsior Wine Estate.
