Casper De Vries has been a stalwart of film, television and stage for decades and has entertained several generations of both Afrikaans and English fans.
Known for his comedic variety, Casper employs observational stand-up comedy,sketches, music, word play and more than a little science and history to weave his shows. A formula that has resulted in intricate, well thought out and above all popular productions coming to stage and television in the last few years.
Which made it all the more surprising when he abruptly announced that he would be taking an indefinite break from his performances to pursue his newfound passion: Painting.
Casper took the time to sit down with ShowMe Pretoria at the Art of Silver gallery in Cullinan to talk about this new path that he’d taken and the interesting places it was leading to.
According to Casper he’d picked up a brush for the first time in 2011, very nearly on a whim, while with a friend who was indeed a painter. “It was as if a dam had broken.” he recounted, “It was a massive output.” Casper had no inkling that painting was even something that he would want to do, but once he’d started the bug had well and truly bitten.
Since he had no formal background in the arts, Casper created paintings with almost complete naivete: “I found that I was very comfortable with abstract art in all of its phases.” he noted, but elements of many artists and genres were apparent in his work after doing some research on art itself. Casper has however actively tried to maintain that innocence when in his creative mode. “This is art without pretense.” he says, this is a point he makes repeatedly since some of his fans have cynically pointed out that painting is a superficial attempt to reignite interest in him and perhaps reinvigorate a career.
Nothing could be further from the truth according to Casper. His urge to paint was not premeditated and the subjects and form of his paintings come from a genuine place. “I love painting my family and animals in a natural setting.” he says, “my paintings often have stories behind them as well.” His painting titled “The Bastard King” for example, was inspired by a fictional story of his own devising, dealing with an illegitimate king and the consequences of his rule.
Casper’s fascination with history and culture also clearly play a role in his painting. Many of his paintings focus on his own ancestors, whether recent or distant.
His Khoi ancestry naturally also featuring in a number of pieces, with beautifully vivid portraits sharing the walls with his his more abstract pieces.
When asked about whether any “serious” art people had taken notice of his work he responded that it hadn’t happened in any serious way yet, but that the few art experts that he was acquainted with had been quite positive about his work so far. Especially, in his opinion, because he wasn’t painting with any other motive than the joy of creation itself.
The paintings themselves belie the fact the artist only began painting just over three years prior, but despite his clear talent and aptitude Casper revealed his one technical stumbling block: “I must perfect my clouds, that’s all I’m going to say. I’m struggling.” he says while laughing.
We asked Casper who he’d want a master-class from in art, living or dead. “I’d obviously want to go for Van Gogh, because I’d like to talk to him.
I love his technique.” Although he doubted if Van Gogh could actually present a class, so the final choices would be between Wassily Kandinsky or Picasso.
Our final question to Casper was who, living or dead, would he like to have as a model for a painting? “Thor, Chris Hemsworth, but he mustn’t talk, he must just sit there and shut up.” Casper replies with his characteristic laughter. “I’m interested to talk to Henry VIII, Richard III or maybe my Khoi grandmother” he continues “I’ve tried to paint what I think she looks like a couple of times, but it’s still coming.”
Casper’s latest exhibition at The Art of Silver will run until the 9th of September 2014 and the paintings are for sale to members of the public. Casper will be present in person every Sunday throughout the run of the exhibition.
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