The Adlou Art Gallery at Hartebeespoort Dam, some 45 minutes’ drive from either Johannesburg or Pretoria, is by no means ‘ordinary’.
Already a destination of choice for many Gautengers, Adlou, tucked in among a cluster of shops and cafés overlooking the scenic Transvaal Yacht Club, speaks volumes for the philosophy of Louise Boshoff, the woman behind it all.
The fact that the art on exhibit is among the best available in South Africa – if not in the world – is merely the crowning glory of this venue.
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Louise, daughter of Adriaan Boshoff, widely regarded as one of SA’s greatest artists, has chosen to turn away from the ritzy, city-based gallery concept as, she says, this “up-market ambiance” so typical of art galleries often has an intimidating effect on people.
“In stead of representing many artists as I did in the days when I had a gallery in Pretoria,” she says, “I limited myself to just a handful here at Adlou.
“My father’s work is unique; he is truly one of the great modern impressionists. I have a good selection of his art, from small pieces to canvasses big enough to cover walls!”
Adriaan Boshoff is not the only impressionist. Louise spent many years searching for another artist of the caliber to complement her father’s work, and she eventually found him in the guise of Branko Dimitrov, a Serb who has been living in South Africa for more than ten years.
Adlou is also a major outlet for Tienie Pritchard, one of the best-known sculptors in the country and Louise says she still has her sights set on a handful of other artists among them the expressionist Carla Louw.
“Yes, I know I don’t promote the variety of artists many other galleries have. The fact is, I prefer to promote artists who, in my opinion, are the very best in their league in this country, if not in the world.”
She says visitors from all corners of the world “flock to Adlou because of the quality of work” displayed at the gallery.
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Quality art, she says, “doesn’t always come cheap”: A large Adriaan Boshoff can set you back hundreds of thousands of rand but, as many earlier buyers will testify, his work is an investment that has international currency and is always appreciating.
Louise is forthright about the prices: “The best South African art – especially the best impressionism and sculpture – is as good, perhaps even better, than what is regarded as the best in many other parts of the world. We have to accept that the prices will naturally reflect this.
“If you want an investment piece that is regarded as internationally important and will give you a good return, then you should be prepared for the level of investment required,” she says.
Yet, she is the first to admit that art is for everyone and should not be viewed purely in terms of investment: “We have people of all walks of life visiting us who show far more appreciation than some so-called ‘experts’. And I encourage them to take their time and to enjoy, even though I know they are probably not buyers.”
She fully understands what it is like to covet a work of art one would probably never be able to afford. When she was training as a nurse she earned the magnificent sum of R140 per month – R80 of this was spent on paying off art!
Surprisingly, many of her earlier purchases were works by her father.
“I didn’t dare ask him for paintings as I knew they were his bread and butter,” she says. “So I bought them from galleries and paid them off.”
Many art lovers will empathise. Adlou Gallery is often sympathetic to people who simply ‘must have’ a painting but who do not always have the ready cash: deferred payments make ownership easier.
And such is Louise Boshoff’s achievement: An art gallery complete with soul and vibe: a happy meeting place where friends meet and where nobody is too poor to be welcome!
© 2004 - 2010. Adlou Art Gallery. All rights reserved.
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