Lot 28.

Watercolour and chalk pastel on Fabriano Artistico paper: “Woodstock in Blue” by Michael Beckurts
(Price Guide: R10,500)

In this artwork Michael depicts the square of the Woodstock Biscuit Mill. This square holds significance as he studied at The Cape Town Creative Academy that was then housed in the silo tower. The Biscuit Mill became his campus and he developed lasting relationships with several of the businesses there. In particular Openwine (to the right of the square) and The Test Kitchen (to the left of the square). For Michael this scene brings to mind treasured memories of projects, meals and conversations.

Artist Biography:

Michael Beckurts (b.2000) lives and works in Cape Town.
Since graduating in 2021 from the Cape Town Creative Academy, he has been a full time visual artist working in oils, charcoal, watercolour, and digitally. Drawing from memory to create luminous, vivid scenes, Beckurts’ oils on canvas are characterised by rapid mark making and considered compositions. From family gatherings, to farm road walks, and nights out with friends, central to all these scenes is the connection to nature and connection to people.

Ever curious to explore new media, Michael can be seen at evening jazz sessions where he combines his love of music with his observational skills. Here he live-draws in sketches projected onto a wall.

Beckurts has had 4 solo exhibitions: Archives held at the Test Kitchen in Woodstock (2021), Portraits of Nature, Portraits of Places at MOK Gallery, Muratie wine estate, Stellenbosch (2022), Remember to Play at Openwine, Wale Street (2023), and Vivacity at the AVA Gallery, Church Street (2024). He participated in the Baz Art International Public Arts Festival in Cape Town in 2019 and 2023. Beckurts was a participant in the 2023 Sessions Programme for Visual Artists led by Dominique Edwards which culminated in a group exhibition, Pomegranate in Woodstock, Cape Town. He has displayed his artworks in several other group exhibitions - most recently at The Ramp/Hoick in June 2024 and 99 Loop Street Gallery in September 2024. In May 2024, several of Beckurts’ artworks were included by the AVA Gallery at the RMB Latitudes Art Fair in Johannesburg.

In the words of critic Ashraf Jamal, “Beckurts’ art draws us towards what we long for most – stillness, with all its tremulous vivacity. [He] is a marvel of promise in an embittered world.”

Instagram: @michaelbeckurts
Website: www.studiobeckurts.com
Email: michael.beckurts@icloud.com