About The Artist

Corné van Eck with Johan Conradie

Artist Biography

Corné van Eck was born in Pretoria in 1963. She matriculated at Windhoek High School and then studied Art (BA Ed Art) at The University of Pretoria from 1982 to 1986. She commenced her teaching career at Gobabis and then moved to Windhoek where she was appointed at the University of Namibia in the Didactical Department for student teachers. She also taught art to children at the Academy of Namibia. In 1989 she moved to Pretoria where she taught art at Hercules High School for several years. She opened her own art studio - The Gables Art Studio - in 1994 in Colbyn, Pretoria. She presently gives art classes to all age groups in drawing and painting. Her students have an annual art exhibition where they display their artwork. Corné has participated in numerous group exhibitions and a number of solo exhibitions.

Previous exhibitions

• Arts Association of Pta: June 2007, "Mind-Land-Scapes", Solo Exhibition
• Art Museum of Pta: February 2008, "Visions of Southern Africa", Group Exhibition
• Innibos Nelspruit: June 2008, Group Exhibition
• Alliance Francaise Pta: June 2008, "Interpretations of the South African Landscape", Solo Exhibition
• Arts Association of Pta: January 2009, Group Exhibition
• Arts Association of Pta: February 2009, Member Exhibition
• Art Association of Pta: March 2009, "Re-inventing Van Eyck", Group Exhibition
• Tina Skukan Gallery: April 2009, "Easter - Resurrection", Group Exhibition
• Innibos Nelspruit: June 2009, Group Exhibition
• Arts Association of Pta: July 2009, "Revival Field", combined exhibition with Nic Sithole
• Gables Art Studio: October 2009, Group Exhibition
• Arts Association of Pta: January 2010, Member Exhibition
• Kaya Africa Centurion: April 2010, Group Exhibition
• Arts Association of Pta: May 2010, Baroque, Johan Conradie and friends, Group Exhibition
• Arts Association of Pta: June 2010, "Golden Enigma"- Gustav Klimt, Group Exhibition with students of the Gables Art Studio
• Arts Association of Pta: September 2010, "A Cultural Bridge India/ South Africa, Land: Unity and Diversity", Group Exhibition
• Gables Art Studio: October 2010, "Zest" Group Exhibition
• Arts Association of Pta: January 2011, Member Exhibition
• Arts Association of Pta: May 2011, "Side road to the Unexpected" Driekopseiland re-discovered, Solo Exhibition
• Innibos Nelspruit: June 2011, Group Exhibition
• Gables Art Studio: October 2011, Group Exhibition
• Arts Association of Pta: January 2012, Member Exhibition
• Gables Art Studio: October 2012, Group Exhibition
• Fient Gallery(Duncan Yard): November 2012, Group Exhibition
• Café Retro: December 2012, Group Exhibition
• Arts Association of Pta: January 2013 , Member Exhibition
• Arts Association of Pta: April 2013, World Art Day, Group Exhibition (with Anton Smit)
• Tina Skukan Gallery: May 2013, "Ricochet: The Space between", Group Exhibition
• Arts Association of Pta: July 2013, 4x6 Exhibition, Group Exhibition
• Gables Art Studio: October 2013, Group Exhibition
• Arts Association of Pta: January 2014, Member exhibition
• Fried Contemporary: April 2014, Fried Autumn Art Fair, Group Exhibition
• Innibos Nelspruit: June 2014, Group Exhibition
• Arts Association of Pta: January 2015, Member Exhibition
• Arts Association of Pta: May 2015, "Where LIGHT meets the brush", Solo Exhibition
• Gables Art Studio: October 2015, Annual student exhibition Corné van Eck
• Arts Association of Pta: March 2016, Easter Exhibition - Into the Light, Corné van Eck and students
• Arts Association of Pta: March 2017, Member exhibition
• Arts Association of Pta: July 2017, IRIDESCENCE - a loustrous play of colour. An Afro-Indian exhibition with Eunice Swanepoel
• Art box, Pta: October 2017, Group Exhibition with Gables Art Studio
• Art box, Pta: December 2017, Let There Be Light. Group Exhibition
• Arts Association of Pta: January 2018, Member Exhibition

"For me, what is most striking about Corné’s work, is the almost total absence of civilization and society. This, which in itself has symbolic value, can be seen as an expression of detachment from society and civilization. The desolate landscape becomes a place of gathering, concentration and meditation. It almost appears that she is retreating from the destructive influence on spiritual life that the worldliness of society represents. It illustrates a kind of "desire" to cultivate the spiritual life in isolation – where humankind gains new insight for the benefit of the community and the individual."

Johan Conradie