Support Gert
A plea for help!
Dear visitor to GertSwart.com,
I would like to introduce myself. My name is Walter Hayn, I am a practicing artist, and I have been a good friend of Gert’s for many years, (since 1989). I currently live in London, UK, but I grew up in South Africa and make annual trips back to visit family who are situated near to Pietermaritzburg where Gert lives and works. Over the years I have observed the many changes taking place in South Africa, some good, but some which include a sad decline in arts funding. As I have continued to visit galleries, both government funded and commercial, and have read news reports about them, the reduction of funding in municipal galleries has been clear to see and has resulted in curatorial mismanagement and in the waning promotion of local South African art and artists in general. If indeed the galleries have managed to remain open.
In contrast, commercial and government-funded (public) art galleries in ‘Western’ countries, which invite artists to exhibit, offer to provide at the very least, transportation costs for the purpose of delivering the artwork to the gallery, the publication of a catalogue, and other promotional material and publicity, such as invitations sent out to a mailing list. At the most, the help of financial stipends towards the completion and presentation of artwork are also supplied.
None of the basic expenses towards Gert’s invitational exhibition, opening 23 February 2025 at the Tatham Gallery in Pietermaritzburg are being met by the gallery, due to funding cuts. (See the Tatham Gallery Catalogue of Gert's 1997 exhibition.) Most people visiting a gallery are unaware of a myriad of hidden costs involved in mounting an exhibition of this nature, like the secure transportation of heavy sculptures, insurance in case of theft and damage, and the cost of preparing plinths and supports for the presentation of the work, which forms just a small part of the overall cost. There is also the artist’s investment in expensive wood/metal, machinery, glues, resins and paints, and not to mention living expenses, required to make the artworks. Furthermore, producing a catalogue, a website and garnering media attention are an essential part of making an exhibition of this nature a worthwhile venture, in this day and age.
With the above in mind, please consider donating financially towards this which promises to be a very significant retrospective exhibition of a notable South African sculptor… or indeed buying one of his pieces. If you have enjoyed Gert’s intriguing sculptures over the years, whether as a new or a longstanding friend, or as a follower of Gert’s on Facebook, Instagram or other social media, then hopefully you will have even more reason to consider this plea.
Gert wouldn’t ask for assistance himself, and so, as a friend, and since I have helped him to build this website to promote his exhibition, I am asking on his behalf. If you live abroad, even a small amount, like the regular contribution of the price of a cup of coffee, can make a big difference in South Africa where the Rand has been devalued in comparison to foreign currencies, but still has buying power locally.
If you reside in the UK and are a taxpayer, please click on the KLC link below to donate money, using the 'Stewardship Account', or donate money directly into the KLC account. The Kirby Laing Centre is a charitable organisation who have agreed to collect donations on Gert’s behalf (Please stipulate that the gift is for ‘Gert Swart’.)
If you live elsewhere in the world, please consider sending donations to Gert’s account directly using the online company ‘Currencies Direct’, or a money transfer company that you are familiar with, who provide secure international cash transfers for a small fee. (Link below.)
​
​
Gert Petrus Swart
Bank: Standard Bank
Acc. No: 10089020713
Branch Code: 051001
Swift Code: SBZAZAJJXXX
Thank you!