Artist on the rise

Written by Lameez Abrahams
SA Times Tuesday, 20 February 2007

Ludwig Wagner might share his name with an artist who lived in 1780 but there’s nothing archaic about his art work. We speak to the talented artists about his exhibit in London and the inspiration behind his work.Wagner’s collection of six pieces, expressing his longing for the African landscape, will be on show at the Skylark 2 in the OXO Tower until February 25.
His technique is described as ‘very unique’ and now, after throwing caution to the wind, his work has found its way to his very first exhibit.

“When I started painting again I only showed my work to friends and family. They liked what I did and spurred me on to approach galleries.
“I went on a waiting list at Skylark. There could be more exposure because the gallery will be visiting art shows in Chelsea, Bristol and Edinburgh this year on behalf of the artists,” Wagner explains.

He studied fine art at the University of Pretoria and qualified as an English and Art Teacher before working as a Cultural Officer for the Department of Art, Science and Technology.
The Pretoria-born artist came to the UK seven years ago after a job opportunity at a Spanish film house tempted him enough to leave Ster-Kinekor, where he had the ardent task of visiting film festivals around the world.

“Everyone thought I was mad because I was 35 at the time. They thought I should be settling down and not moving to another country. But I am the type of person who takes chances and lives to have no regrets,” Wagner said.

Wagner was also responsible for giving birth to Cinema Nouveau in South Africa, which shows art cinema movies and was also the editor of Film Finesse magazine.

It took a mid-life crisis to get Wagner to turn back to his first love of painting, and even though he is unsure of what the future might hold, he is grabbing the Skylark opportunity by the horns.
“I am nervous and don’t know where I’ll find the time, but it’s an amazing opportunity.” He draws his inspiration from South African artist Helen Martins and world-renowned Spanish painter Pablo Picasso. “I am inspired by Helen Martins who was born in 1897. “She grew up in Nieu-Bethesda near Graaff-Reinet – she had such a sad life.
“She turned her house into a work of art and used broken glass against the walls. I like Picasso’s work because every few years he would change his style and that’s very important as an artist,” he enthuses.

Wagner uses masks in his painting and explains that they reflect the façade that many carry around. “I believe everyone wears a mask and hides who they are. “Sometimes my masks are happy and sometimes they are sad, which is a reflection of my mood.

“The landscapes I paint represent the African landscape. I long to be outside in open vastness and these landscapes are based on the places that I have visited. I take a lot of photographs when I travel through the Karoo as a reference,” he explains.

“I use acrylic on canvas and instead of peeling the layers, I build them up,” he adds. Along with painting, Wagner also runs Zuluspice. “We design websites and I use a host of freelances who are a great help because my client base is growing and growing. I’ve done websites for two SA musicians based in London and design posters for films as well,” he explains.
Wagner also consults for several film and media companies and was responsible for undertaking a complete rights analysis of the Film Four catalogue for Channel 4 International and also assisted Channel 4 New Media on a rights analysis of content for the use on New Media platforms.

Don’t miss Ludwig Wagner on Sunday February 25 at Skylark 2 gallery, Unit 1.09 Oxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse Street, London SE1 9PH. For more information call 020 7401 9666.