Grady Zeeman

I studied fashion design at the Cape Technicon before I married and moved to Swellendam, South Africa.
My interest change to oil painting. Exhibitions include Morgenzon Gallery, Swellendam; Art Gallery, Robertson; Hugo Naude Gallery, Worcester.
During September 2006, two of my friends, Ansie Malan and Elzebet Beyers, and I painted the roof (4,8m x 20m on both sides) of Xairu, a farm stall near Swellendam. The theme was “ An African Fantacy”
The three of us also did a portret of the acclaimed San artist, Vetkat Regopstaan Kruiper, where-after he did some San art on the painting. This painting is currently in the possession of the San community

Being a South African artist, I experience my art as a voice, expressing my innermost joys and fears. I am very
susceptible to emotions and use this attribute to observe
people, their experiences and that of my everyday
surroundings.
During my studies, we did a lot of figure drawing and this love for figures will always be part of my artistic expression. My art has also transgressed into sculpting, hence an immense adoration for Auguste Rodin.
I mainly paint with oil on canvas and work from my own photographs, my models mostly being my children or husband. As I constantly seek wisdom in life, so I do in my art. I continuously study the great artists like Monet, van Gogh, Gaugin, Renoir, Modigliani, Picasso, Salvador Dali and the German expressionists. By not only studying their art, but their lives as well, I am united with these wise souls on a deeper level that transcends time and space. This, as well as the vibrant African sun I am exposed to, inspires bright colouring in my paintings and allow me to portray both the fragile and the bold.
My dream is that through my art I can change the circumstances in South Africa. That all South Africans can live in a respectful, corruption free, safe environment.