12 Jun 2014
Ellerman House, Cape Town offers guests an exclusive South African art experience
Not only is Ellerman House one of the finest hotels in South Africa, it is also home to an exceptional collection of art. Guests can enjoy close to 1000 works, which are exhibited throughout the hotel, dating from the mid-19th Century to today. These offer a rare and very special insight into the huge cultural and social shift South African art has experienced over this period, while also being an important record of the spirit of the times and the development of a remarkable nation.
Fine art is the very heart and soul of Ellerman House, and sets it apart from other leading hotels in South Africa. This grand assortment of works has been lovingly collated over three decades and features a uniquely South African twist and hugely diverse works; from portraits to sculpture, historical paintings to contemporary art. Guests are warmly invited to experience the Ellerman House Art Tour.
The originals span over a century, from the 1910 Volschenk of an undeveloped Camps Bay, to contemporary works from Vusi Khumalo. While Cape paintings were the original focus, the scope grew with the collection, and now encompasses an intriguing cross-section of genres representing an overview of a hundred years of South African culture.
December 2009 marked the opening of Ellerman House Contemporary Gallery, a modern art gallery created to introduce guests to South Africa's contemporary artists. Ever-evolving, the collection is rotated every season allowing guests to explore new talent in and amongst well respected and established South African contemporary artists.
The Great South African Landscape
The variety and natural splendour of the South African landscape has made it the favourite genre of many artists from as early as the mid-19th Century up until today. Some of the finest examples of this genre can be seen at Ellerman House. Paintings by John Meyer, one of South Africa's leading realist painters, Cathcart Methven, Jan Volshenk and Pieter Wenning grace the hotel's walls.
Portrait Gallery
Most South African artists explore the genre of portrait painting. The 'portrait gallery' at Ellerman House is situated on the main staircase and houses a cross section of portraits by leading South African artists of the 20th and 21st Centuries, including Irma Stern.
History Library
The Ellerman House library is home to a fascinating collection of some of the 19th and early 20th Century artworks depicting historically important seascapes, landscapes and people of South Africa. Of particular note, are an impressive number of watercolours and three oils by the early 19th Century artist, Thomas Bowler.
The Modernist Era
The collection also includes some pioneering work done in the 1930s by a generation of artists known as the New Group, such as Gregoire Boonzaaier, Maggie Laubser and Irma Stern. This period is hugely significant in the history of South African aesthetics and imagery.
Old Masters
Ellerman House has ten fine examples of the oil paintings of Jacob Pierneef (1886-1957) that occupy pride of place in the lounge together with the sculpture of his friend and mentor, Anton van Wouw (1862-1945), who is considered to be the father of sculpture in South Africa.
Pioneer Artists
The nature of the art market and political climate of apartheid South Africa restricted artists' freedom to voice political concerns. This resulted in the emergence of 'township art' and works that sometimes contained hidden socio-political commentary. It is only relatively recently that 'township' artists and exiled artists have been 'rediscovered'. The works of George Pemba (1912-2001), Lucas Sithole (1931-1995), Ephraim Ngatane (1938-1971) and Gerhard Sekoto (1913-1993) can be seen at Ellerman House.
Contemporary Art – Sculpture
Ellerman House features a fine collection of sculptures including works by Dylan Lewis, one of the foremost figures of contemporary sculpture, Kevin Roberts and Angus Taylor.
Contemporary Art
Ellerman House has an impressive collection of contemporary artworks that are mainly exhibited within the Villas and in the Ellerman House Contemporary Gallery. Here, an eclectic, outspoken and energetic generation of current artists are pushing boundaries in order to create work that explores relevant issues in post-modern South African society. One artist who can be called a 'modern master of 21st Century art in South Africa', namely William Kentridge, enjoys a good showing in the fireside lounge.
Situated in the exclusive suburb of Bantry Bay, Ellerman House is the quintessential urban retreat, close to all the attractions of Cape Town yet enjoying a peaceful location with spectacular Atlantic Ocean views, dramatic mountain scenery and fine beaches. A member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux collection, Ellerman House is a privately owned hotel with just 11 rooms, two suites and two private villas.
From now until the end of September 2014, Ellerman House is offering a superb 'Journey Promotion', which includes a guided tour of Cape Town's top art galleries. Guests staying for a minimum of four nights in a Deluxe Room before 30th September 2014 will receive a 10% discount on accommodation, a 45 minute reflexology treatment for two at The Ellerman House Spa, a Bespoke Wine tasting experience with the Sommelier as well as a Cape Town Art Drive, including visits to Everard Read in the V&A Waterfront and other top Cape Town galleries.
Prices start from £275 in a Classic House Room.
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For further press information on Ellerman House please contact Charlie Fox, Nicole Lovett or Jess Heslop at Grifco PR on 0207 385 7090 or email Charlie@grifcopr.com, Nicole@grifcopr.com, Jess@grifcopr.com
