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The Artists

Brettenwood hosts another exceptional Art Expo

Brettenwood Coastal Estate hosted an art exhibition on Thursday 5th November, showcasing KZN artists Ulrich Ortner, Chantelle Hopewell, Michelle Sykes and Dale Etherington. It was an enjoyable social occasion for residents, friends, colleagues and visitors. The get together at the show house to view the art on display and chat to the artists over a drink and some eats was a wonderful start to the festive season.

Feedback from Dave Charles of Life & Style magazine’s ‘Artists on show at coastal estate’ write-up of our Brettenwood Coastal Estate’s art exhibition stated ‘Uli Ortner’s bronzes were a huge hit as were Chantelle Hopewell and Michelle Sykes’s evocative and atmospheric paintings. The setting was perfect – a large show house on the Estate with ample room for entertainment proved to be ideal for an exhibition like this. The North Coast is attracting artists and art lovers alike to a lifestyle and setting that lends itself so well to creativity.’



The exhibition was attended by over 200 guests and a lot of interest in the artists’ work was generated. Each of the artists successfully achieved sales before the end of the evening’s event.
The background of the artists is as follows.

Artist Uli Ortner – bronze sculptor

Ulrich Ortner originates from Durban and is now based on the Midlands Meander in Rosetta. In 2003 he established the Birdland Foundry, where he creates his bronze sculptures. A daunting task for most, Uli undertakes all the tasks of the lost wax process himself, which include: molding, slurry, casting, machining, patination and mounting of the sculptures.

Wildlife and especially birds are a great fondness of Uli’s. Challenged by the realism of wildlife, Uli’s unique interpretation of African animals feature in his portfolio. Uli incorporates mythological, esoteric and a conceptual style into the bronze sculpture art that he creates. Uli’s completed pieces have all been personally created, from start to finish with the end result being a true reflection of the artist emanating from each piece.

Past exhibitions of Uli’s bronzes include the KZN Wildlife conference held at Durban’s ICC and other private venues in KZN.
Artist Chantelle Hopewell - painter
After school Chantelle went on to study History of Art at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She also gained diplomas in Interior Design and desktop publishing. She subsequently worked as a graphic designer in the clothing industry, then for a leading magazine publisher, before moving into the exciting world of design for internet gaming.

For as long as she can remember Chantelle has always been drawing and painting and when she built a house on Natal's north coast she included a large studio with a view of the sea. The creation of this wonderful space has resulted in Chantelle turning all her energies to painting, incorporating tradtional and new media techniques. Inspired by her environment her current works include macro views of nature. Chantelle uses photographs as source material mainly because of the particular visual wealth of information that occur both in the process of photography and in its translation into paint as well as Integrated Digital Art. Her experience in computer art and painting is the natural way that helps her to explore the journey in her artworks, increasing both her skills and aesthetical sense for making interesting art.

Michelle Sykes - painter

Michelle grew up on a sugar farm on the North Coast of Natal, and spent many childhood holidays in Salt Rock. While living in the Somerset West, 12 years ago, she started painting. Following in her Mum, Barbara Robinsons’ footsteps, landscapes have always been her natural talent, and more recently, has explored other areas, such as portraits, seascapes, and more contemporary designs.

Her inspiration comes from Errol Boyley, who produced some of the most nostalgic, and realistic paintings of the South African Landscape.

Michelle paints in her home studio– in oil and acrylic.

Dale Etherington

Local hairdresser Lesley Etherington and her autistic son Dale have been part of the greater Umhlali community for many years. Dale has a passion for art and uses paint as a form of self expression. Lesley was invited to include her son Dale’s paintings to display at the exhibition and to everyone’s delight several of his works of art were purchased at the Brettenwood exhibition.

Sponsors / Contributors

A big thank you to our generous sponsors who helped make the Brettenwood Coastal Estate’s art exhibition a success:

o Brett & Margie Hulett for personal donation of a case of red wine
o Gillian Kaatze for the loan of the exquisitely dressed tree and Christmas décor
o Hulett Development Company (Brettenwood Estate developers) for financial contribution
o IVK Interiors (Snow & Joanne Cogan) catering for the delicious platters of food
o Leanna’s Art & Framing Umhlali for the loan of easels
o Lionel Gilbert for photography
o Luyt Brewery (Louis Luyt Jnr) for the ‘King of Cool’ Luyt Lager bottled beers
o Mokka Blooms (Sonja Marais) for their stunning flower arrangements
o Patrick Collins, local art patron, for generous donation of wines and Parmalat cheeses
o Umhlali Spar (Charles Wilson) for the supply of ice and for providing the wine glasses and drinks buckets

Thank you sponsors – your support is very much appreciated. Thank you to the Hulett Development Company staff and helpers and also to the artists for their wholehearted involvement and considerable efforts.

Written by: Shelley Gilbert