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THERESA JO

PRINTMAKING

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Theresa Jo, Ek het gedroom ek het per ongeluk Strijdom van der Merwe se vet uitstalling afgebrand. 2013. Etching on Hahnemuhler museum etching paper
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AVAILABLE

Cape Town based artist, designer, printmaker, ceramicist and metalworker, Theresa Jo Wessels has been owner and curator at Artvark Gallery in Kalk Bay for 22 years.

Since opening in 1998, Artvark Gallery which has always aimed to showcase and support South Africa’s art talent, has grown in reputation to be a well-established institution on the Cape Town Gallery circuit. 

In 2023 the Gallery celebrated it's 25th year. 

 

Theresa's body of work as a multidisciplinary artist demonstrates an impressive versatility.

She expresses herself through a variety of mediums, including, jewellery-making, sculpture, printmaking, photography, animation and textiles.

 

Theresa is passionately creative, describing the process of creating as ‘intoxicating’, and describes the way in which the artwork leads her as inspiring, unintentional and distinctive.

Her approach to the materials with which she works is inherently playful and exploratory.

She describes herself as proudly unconventional, finding that by eschewing conventional rules, new and interesting combinations and unique outcomes are revealed by means of innovation.

 

With relevance to her etching and mark making, she acknowledges how the interplay of aspects of control and the unknown inform the process. It is this challenge, “to move from complete chaos on your desk to a sterile environment where mishaps are fatal”, that Theresa  finds inspiring.

''I follow the tenet of 'Undisciplined imagination with disciplined execution', Theresa explains. 

This, is what, in her view,  unites the polarities of discipline - the element of uncontrollability of the monoprint and the precision of etching.

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Full CV available here.

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Theresa Jo. LEAVING & LEAVING I (Etching and monoprint).jpg

'Leaving'

 

This pair of artworks narrate the tale of our contemporary globe, where numerous individuals must depart from the steadiness, safety, and familiarity of their households and native lands, to gamble their lives in the face of uncertainty, disorder, and devastation.


The print titled "Leaving” depicts an etching that faithfully reproduces the
matrix found on the brass plate.

"Leaving I" is a monoprint that conveys the notion of risk and unpredictability.

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Theresa Jo

Leaving 

Etching on Fabriano

Print size: 54 cm x 76 cm

Framed size: 98  cm x 78 cm

Edition of 15. 

2023​

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Framed 98 x 78 cm

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Please enquire at artvark@iafrica.com for the price. 

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Available editions unframed. â€‹

​R 11 000

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Please email artvark@iafrica.com to enquire. 

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Kindly note that prints are not able to be removed from their frames at the gallery.

This service must be done by a professional framer. 

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Theresa Jo

Leaving I

Monoprint on yupo paper

Print size: 54 cm x 76 cm

Framed size: 98  cm x 78 cm

2023

SOLD

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Theresa Jo

Lockdown Waves

Mono - etch.

Framed

77 x 55 cm

R11 500
 

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'9 Emmers'

Monotype prints on phonebook paper

Theresa Jo

Lockdown Waves

Mono - etching on Fabriano

Framed between glass  size: 71.5 x 53 cm
 

SOLD

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From a series of works that formed part of an exhibition entitled Die Emmer Obsessie, Woordfees March 2019.

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The only way Capetonians can survive the drought is by cultivating an obsession with water and to save every drop you need a bucket. A bucket is an object in which you can carry and store water, a centuries-old symbol once again entering our psyche. The artist’s use of buckets is a deep recognition of the work of women who have been carrying water in buckets for years.

 

Buckets are depicted on the worthless paper of Cape telephone directories – an icon of the past that, just like water, we saw as a self-evident, inexhaustible commodity. The paper with its lists of people and addresses has been raised from the background mounting and placed under glass. The paper that is usually wasted, like water, now enjoys a raised status.

 

A clay bucket, the inside of which has been glazed, reflects glittering water reminds us that

water is gold!

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'Die Emmer' II'

Photograph framed behind museum glass

40 x 47 cm

R4950

SOLD

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'Die Emmer'

Photograph framed behind museum glass

50.5 x 54 cm

R5500

SOLD

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'Die Emmer Obsessie' 

Monoprints on phonebook paper

Framed in kiaat

30 x 36 cm

Paper size: 21.5 x 27 cm 

R 3500 each

SOLD OUT 

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'Ek wil die Ek Wat Ek Is Bly'.

(Antjie Krog) 

Etching 

Framed

75 x 92cm 

R 9500

SOLD

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“I illustrated a poem by Antjie Krog for the Breytenbach Gallery in Wellington. She was the honorary poet of the Festival at the Tuin of Digters. "Ek wil die ek wat ek is bly"...want to retain the I that l am”.

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Water Is Goud 

(2022) 

Etching on Hahnemuhle paper.

EV 1/10

Framed in kiaat wood. 

30.5 x 30.5 cm

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R1850

SOLD

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Water Is Holy

(2022) 

Etching on Hahnemuhle paper.

EV 1/10

Framed in kiaat wood. #

Available. 

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Oumense Moenie Met Die Water Speel Nie,

die Kinders Moet Dit Drink.

(2022) 

Etching on Hahnemuhle paper.

EV 1/10

Framed in kiaat wood. 

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'Amsterdam' 

Etching 

Edition of 25. 

28.5 x 31 cm

Framed 

R1850

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'Amsterdam' 

Etching 

Edition of 25.

20 cm x 22 cm

Unframed

R 950

Framed available.

28.5 x 31cm

R1850

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'Die Pijpe'

Etching 

Edition of 25 

19.5 cm x 22cm

Unframed - R 950

Framed - R1850  

 

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'Ek Is Jy Is'

(Antjie Krog) 

Etching 

A/P

24 x 18cm

Unframed

R 850

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Immigration

Etching on Fabriano.

Framed.

76 x 93cm

R12 500

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A Sense Of Place

Etching.

A/P

Framed.

55 x 49cm

R4500

SOLD

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Adam Small : Die Here het gaskommel en die dice het verkeerd geval vi ons. 

Etching. 

Edition of 25.

Unframed: 35 cm x 38 cm

R2.200

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SOLD

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Adam Small : Die Here het gaskommel en die dice het verkeerd geval vi ons. 

Etching print on aluminium.

Kiaat frame 

51.5cm x 51.5cm 

R 6200

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SOLD

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A recurring theme elaborated upon in my work is my love for the Afrikaans culture , literature and poetry and most definitely the humour.

The poem by Adam Small , who was involved in the Black Consciousness Movement wrote this endearing verse“ Die dice het verkeerd geval vir ons”

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To read the poem by Adam Small, in the original Afrikaans,  and translated into English click here. 

 

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My motivation is described by the words of Joseph Campbell in “The Mythic Imagination”  - “A profound respect for inherited forms has generally suppressed innovation.”

My work has an emotional connection to the natural environment which surrounds my hometown, as well as socio-political and environmental issues.

The plight of women as preservers  ‘women’s work’ as portrayed in”5 to 5” formed part of ‘My Obsessie – Die Emmer’ installation at Woordfees 2019.

5 tot 5 II.  

5 tot 5 II.  

Mono Etching.

Unframed. 

SOLD

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5 tot 5 I.  

Mono Etching.

Framed.

84cm x 63cm

R5 500

SOLD

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Die Emmer Obsessie. 2017.

Monoprint.

74cm x 54cm

Framed: R2 500

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Die Emmer-'n Eeue ou simbool wat nou weer in ons psige ontvou.

Etching on Hahnemuhle museum etching paper.

Framed in kiaat wood:48 x 33cms :R3 200

Unfamed: 40 x 25cms:  R2 300

SOLD

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Die Emmer-'n  Eeue ou simbool wat nou weer in ons psige ontvou.

Etching on Hahnemuhle museum etching paper.

Framed in kiaat wood: 48 x 33cm: R3200

Unframed 40 x 25cms: R2 300

SOLD

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Die Emmer-'n  Eeue ou simbool wat nou weer in ons psige ontvou.

Etching on Hahnemuhle museum etching paper.

Framed in kiaat wood: 48 x  33cms: R3350

Unframed: 2500

SOLD

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Example, framed in kiaat wood. 

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Die Emmer.

Etching on aluminium.

Edition of 5.

40 x 40cms

Unframed.

R3 500

Framed:

R4500.

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Die Emmer.

Etching on aluminium.

Edition of 5. 

Framed in Kiaat

51.5  x 51.5 cms.

R6200

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Crime is King. 2017. 

Etching on Hahnemuhle museum etching paper.

Edition of 20.

56cm x 32cm

Available framed in Kiaat R5 500 SOLD 

or unframed R4 450
 

 

 

 

The omnipresence of crime, loss and constant danger forming part of the fabric of South African society and the realities of its citizens, particularly against women and children, is another theme I draw upon. This inspired the etching ‘Crime is King’ 

 

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Dodo Days.

Framed Etching 

A/P

57.5 X 52cms

R3 200

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Tennisles ( The Tennis Lesson) 

Monoprint.

Framed.

83 x 73cm

R 10 000
 

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Leucadendron II

Etching on Hahnemuhle museum etching paper.  .

6/10

82.5 x 65.5 cms

Framed.

R9 500

SOLD

 

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My Kind se Skoene.

Etching on Hahnemuhle museum etching paper. Edition Variable.

52 x 37cms

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My Kind se Skoene.

Etching on Hahnemuhle museum etching paper 

Edition of 10. 

Framed in Kiaat wood.

71 x 54 cm

R 5500

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Hoe Kan Wyn 

Etching

55 x 44cms

Framed in kiaat

R3500

SOLD

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This Mythical Creature. 2019.  (Die Laaste Artvarkie) 

Etching. Edition of 20. 

Size: 26.5 cm x 26cm

Framed in kiaat wood frame: R3500. 

Last edition available. 20/20

SOLD OUT 

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Theresa Jo, Die Laaste Mielie

Die Laaste Mielie. 2020.

Etching on Hahnemuhle museum etching paper. 

32cm x 32cm

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Die Laaste Mielie. 2020.

Etching on Hahnemuhle museum paper. 

5/25

34 cm x 36cm

R 2850

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Flipside.

Etching on Hahnemuhle museum etching paper. 

32cm x 34 cm

Unframed: R 1850

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Framed ( smaller ) R2850

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Flipside.

Etching on Hahnemuhle museum etching paper.

​Framed in black 45.5 x 42.cm

R3250

SOLD

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Moddermure van Marrakesh.  

Etching. 

Unframed

R3 500

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Fynbos.

Etching and Aluminium print.

33cm x 32.5cm. 

Framed

SOLD

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Fynbos. 2019.

Etching and photographic print on aluminium.

Edition of 5.

Unframed: 60 x 60cms

R4 500

Framed: 60 x 60cms

R5 500

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Fynbos

Etching on aluminium.     

Edition of 5                              

30 x 30cms

R950

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Fynbos

Etching on aluminium.

Edition of 5

30 x 30cms

R950

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Fynbos

Etching on aluminium.

Edition of 5.

30 x 30cms

R950

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Fynbos

Etching on aluminium.

Edition of 5.

30 x 30cms

R950

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Wat maak jy in my kop. 

Etching Variable.

Printed by Popular demand.

46cm x 41cm.

Available framed 

or unframed 

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Unframed R3 750

Framed R5 500

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Alias Stef Bos. 

Etching Edition of 75.

39cm x 33cm. 

Printed by Popular demand. Available framed or unframed.

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Wat Maak Jy In My Kop ( Alias Stef Bos) 

Etching

Edition of 100

E.V

39cm x 33cm. 

Printed by Popular demand. Available framed or unframed.

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Unframed R 3150

Framed R 3900

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"Stone" drawing number 1.

Monoprint

Being passionate about v Rock art I tried an attempt at it myself. I realised that the San had it easy! They had their canvasses prepared while I first had to create the stone before I could“  draw” on it.
R4500

(SOLD) 

5. Theresa Jo  MIRAGE .jpg

Mirage- an unrealistic hope.

Etching

40cm x 55cm Framed: R3500

35cm x 50cm Unframed: R2500 

Please enquire regarding the availlabilty of the above prints at artvark@iafrica.com

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