Marlene von Dürckheim

Marlene working towards the just right feel

South African Abstract Painter

Marlene von Dürckheim was born on 7 December 1945 in Johannesburg.
She studied at the University of Pretoria (BA Fine Arts 1969) and at Stellenbosch University (BA Honnours (Fine Arts) 1989 and M.A. in Classical Culture 2003).

Professional Experience:
Professional Assistant, Johannesburg Art Gallery
Graphic Artist at Perskor Publishers, Johannesburg
Art Teacher at two Johannesburg art schools
Part-time Art Lecturer at the University of Stellenbosch
Full-time Artist since 1992

Marlene on her Art:
I don't want my paintings to be pretty pictures on a wall for a short time. I want my paintings to tell a mini story every time they are being viewed and in that grow on the viewer. For that reason I say that interacting with a painting is like a journey not just for one day, but for an extended time. One could also compare the interaction with a painting to the reading of fairy tales, plays or poetry that can be re-read time and again, and every time something new is discovered in them that expands and enriches life. In other words, my paintings do not have a sell-by date. I want my paintings to give a sense of quiet, of reflection, removed from the noise and humdrum of everyday life. They should expand and enrich the viewer's life and should give the viewer a sense of wholeness.

Click for large photos:

Reflections upon a Violin 2012	Sea Wall 1 (towards New Harbour, Hermanus)	Tides of Time 2
Newton's Pomegranates	Cellist, 2017, oil on canvas, 60 x 50 cm	Reflections on a Windowsill

Group Exhibitions
1990 With Hannatjie de Kock, Dorp Street Gallery, Stellenbosch
1994 With Leon de Bliquy, Botega Gallery, Oudtshoorn, South Africa
2001 With Kaffie Pretorius, Dorp Street Gallery, Stellenbosch
2002 Exhibition of Contemporary South African Art, Chelsea, Londen, England
2004/2005 With Manfred Mueller Preuss, Galerie Petra Lange, Berlin, Germany
1992 - 2016 Permanent group exhibitions at: Johans Borman Fine Art Gallery, In Fine Art Building, Upper Buitengracht Street/ 16 Kildare Road, Newlands, Cape Town, Ebony Design Cape Town and Franschhoek, IS Art Franschhoek, Johann Bloem Gallery, Jeffreys Bay
2006 - 2008 Group exhibition, Grand Provence, Franschhoek
2006 – 2008 Group exhibition Dorp Street Gallery, Stellenbosch
2009 40th Jubilee Exhibition, Smelik & Stokking Galeries, The Hague, Rotterdam, Amsterdam
2009 'Art that inspires' Group Exhibition, Johans Borman Gallery, Upper Buitengracht Street, Cape Town
2012 Group Exhibition, IS Art, Franschhoek, December 2012
2014 Group Exhbition Black & White' Johans Borman Gallery, 16 Kildare Road, Newlands, Cape Town
2014 Group Exhibition 'Still' Johans Borman Gallery, 16 Kildare Road, Newlands, Cape Town
2014 Group Exhibition 50th SAADA Antiques Fair, Cape Town
2014 Group Exhibition Cape Town Art Fair
2015 Group Exhibition SAADA Antiques Fair & Design Expo, Cape Town
2015 Group Exhibition Cape Town Art Fair
2016 Group Exhibition "Aspects of Abstraction II" Johans Borman Gallery, 16 Kildare Road, Newlands, Cape Town
2016 Group Exhibition "Masterpiece" Johans Borman Gallery, 16 Kildare Road, Newlands, Cape Town

Chapters in Books
'Marlene Gräfin von Dürckheim' in: _A Directory of South African Contemporary Art_. vol. 1 Painting. Cape Town: Contemporary Arts Publishers, 1997, p. 80
'Marlene Gräfin von Dürckheim' in: _The Collector's Guide to Art and Artists in South Africa: A Visual Journey into the Thoughts, Emotions and Minds of 558 Artists._ Cape Town: South African Institute of Artists & Designers, 1998, p. 186

Corporate and Public Collections
Represented in the following collections:
University of Stellenbosch
Sun International, Cape Town
ABSA Bank
Telkom
Old Mutual
Graduate Business School, University of Pretoria
Vergelegen Wine Estate, Somerset West

Also represented in private collections in South Africa, England, United States of America, Germany and Switzerland.

    Books