Art Gallery
It was Simonides who said, “Painting is silent poetry.” Today, taking a stroll through the lodge, guests can marvel at one of the world’s finest collections of African art, embodying the spirit of the continent and reflecting a plethora of cultures and artistic traditions.
Exhibiting a range of techniques, from majestic oils to life-size bronze sculptures, each piece in the Mateya collection has been individually selected for its unique and enduring appeal.
An artist experiences the world through emotions and thoughts that once rendered inspire others to feel and think in new ways. Sitting in the plush comfort of the lounge, recounting the day’s wildlife excursion, glinting in the corner of your eye the sculpture of a lioness taking a leaping impala might hint at tomorrow’s promise, and suddenly a twinkle of excitement dances in your smile.
“I am not an artist who has looked for a subject to paint. Rather, it is the romance of wild game country that has made me want to be an artist.”
Born in Hadersley, Denmark, in 1952, Paul Augustinus was raised and schooled in Mombasa, Kenya. Self-taught as a painter, he has traveled widely throughout Africa and the world, studying and painting wildlife from remote and untamed regions as far south as Southern Africa and as far north as Alaska. Augustinus’ dedication to authenticity, his love of wildlife and his tireless and in-depth study of his subject matter have all contributed to the immediacy and accuracy of his work.
Augustinus has participated in World Wildlife Fund art initiatives, written numerous books and articles on the wildlife and regions that he has studied and painted, and sold successfully on auction at Christies.
Augustinus has exhibited his paintings throughout United States, Australia and South Africa, and his works hang in private collections in the United States, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Argentina, Mexico, Australia and South Africa.
“Here must be one of the last of the real open spaces left in Africa, with vast quantities of animals and so with it, endless inspiration.” Says Robert Glen of Tarangire National Park in Tanzania.
Born in Kenya in 1940, Glen studied taxidermy at the world-renowned studio, Coleman Jonas of Denver, Colorado. His training inspired him to sculpt animals and by 1970 he had cast his first bronze.
Glen has traveled extensively, having lived with nomadic camel herders in the north and northeast of Kenya and in national game reserves in Kenya and Tanzania. His meticulous study of the people and wildlife has enabled him to accurately represent his experiences in his magnificent bronze sculptures, all of which are cast at Fonderia Artistica Mariani in Pietrasanta, Italy.
Glen has participated in numerous international group exhibitions and held solo exhibitions in the United States, Canada, Spain, South Africa, and Kenya. His bronzes are part of many private collections, including those of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, His Highness the Aga Khan, and His Excellency, the late president of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta.
To view this magnificent Robert Glen sculpture, depicting a lioness taking a leaping impala, in the full round please use the directional buttons at the right, below the sculpture.
Born in 1959 and educated at Michaelhouse College in Natal, Donald joined the fourth generation family business, Charles Greig Jewelers. He graduated from the American Gemological Institute in 1982 and returned to Johannesburg as Director and Gemstone and Diamond buyer for the group.
Always passionate about the African bush and wildlife he set about recreating in sculpture the animals and birds he studied there. His first bronze, a Malachite Kingfisher, was to be the start of a creative path, which has led to Donald being recognized as one of the leading proponents of his crafts internationally. After having studied further at the Lorenzo dei Medici School in Florence and spending time at the world famous foundries in Italy, Donald returned to South Africa to continue his dual careers as a Jeweler and Sculptor. Working primarily in Bronze, Donald is commissioned regularly to create pieces for both the Corporate world and private clients and exhibits regularly in South Africa and Europe.