Gary Frier

"I have made art for a substantial amount of years and have found inspiration in many forms. Mostly art work is about constantly discovering new ways to interpret my surroundings and personal experiences." -Gary Frier

The South African artist Gary Frier and I have been communicating for some time now about promoting and displaying some of his artworks on my website. He has sent me digital samples of some of his art and we decided that his etching were very intriguing; so it is a selection of these that are being added.

In addition he has sent me some scratchboards in which he has integrated his etching technique along with his painting style in a wax etching. These artworks represent a different and welcome style than that usually displayed on Inside African Art. We thought it would be interesting to see what kind of response we would get. Please, have a look!


Title: Lion in Web Dimensions: 8" x 5.5" (20x14cm) Medium: Wax etching Price: $42 A word from the artist: 'When the webs of a spider join they can trap a lion' - An Ethiopian proverb and the first attempt at trying to illustrate the subject in a color etching. Also, the stance of the lion is a hunting one copied from a bushman painting. SOLD! 18 Dec 06 - To a visitor in Washington for her son's Christmas gift!	Title: Mantis Dimensions: 5.5" x 4" (14x10cm) Medium: Ink on scraperboard Price: $32 A word from the artist: This is a one dimensional version of a two dimensional abstract artwork named after the preying mantis, an indigenous insect which has ingrained in African folklore. I would like to Purchase! I would like to Make an Offer!	Title: Dead Lion Dimensions: 4"x 4" (10x10cm) Medium: Ink on scraperboard Price: $34 A word from the artist: 'What is said over a dead lions body could not be said while he was alive' - a proverb from Zaire. I used baboons as the protagonists in this piece which are actual from a bushman (Khoi) cave painting. Sorry! Not available

Title: You're not Great Dimensions: 5.25" x 4" (14x10cm) Medium: Ink on scraperboard Price: $38 A word from the artist: 'You are not great just because you say you are' - A south African proverb and the first work were I used everyday media to illustrate the meaning. Here I used a sunglass advertisement. SOLD! 1 Feb '05 It went to St. Louis! Thanks!	Title: All Monkeys Dimensions: 6" x 4" (15x10cm) Medium: Ink on scraperboard Price: $38 A word from the artist: 'All monkeys cannot hang from the same branch' - an African proverb originally from Kenya. This etching is part of a series. SOLD! 4 April '03 - My friend in Lisbon, Portugal, made an offer!	Title: Lig-a-Lize It Dimensions: 10.5" x 6" (27x15cm) Medium: Wax etching Price: $54 A word from the artist: This is taken from a scene in Knysna, SA, of a Rastafarian shop in the township area. The owner was kind enough to allow me to photograph it. SOLD! 14 April '04

Below is some information provided by Gary from his website which can be found at: http://www.friersart.com

I have made art for a substantial amount of years and have found inspiration in many forms. My work is a constant discovery of self and where I am.

Recently (2000) - I participated in an artist exchange program which involved a group exhibition with etchings of 12 South African artists and running workshops in Brest, Jarsey, and Tulle, SA.

Before That - Worked as an artist at the Fleagling Greatmore Studios in Woodstock. Before that
I participated in a three month residency program at the Fordsburg art studios (Bag factory) in Johannesburg 1999 were I worked and exhibited.

Curriculum Vitae

1995 - Exhibited at the Caledon Museum and graduated with a national diploma in Graphic Design.
1995 - 1996 - Completed an apprenticeship in animation at Jack Russel studios and exhibited at the Jol theatre club.
1997 & 1998 - Took part in the Thupelo workshop. Tutored for Sanlams Annual Children's Art Competition. Participated in a 10 day residency program on Robben Island which included visiting conceptual Swedish artist Mans Wrange, South African poet and screen writer Lueen Conning, South African artists Bernadette Searle and Roger van Wyk, Swedish artist (sluice group) Tom Cullberg, 1999 Exhibited at Battswood Art Centre, Le bon ton. Took part in an etching workshop organized by the Alliance Francaise with visiting French artist Jean Yve Andre.
2000 - Exhibited at Greatmore Studios, Idasa and Durbanville Cultural Society (Rust en Vrede) with artists Fortune Sithole, Tyrone Apollis, Nico Prins, Solomon Siko, Wiseman Zwane, and run workshops at the Somerset library in the Cape and the Foundation School of Art in Johannesburg.
2001 - Exhibiting at Durbanville Cultural Society (Rust en Vrede)
2002 - Exhibition of banners done for cultural festival in Brest ,Banners of Africa(2002) Exhibited in Barcelona for charities (UNICEF, Save the Children) organized by www.stylusart.com

Filmography - Created and produced a 2min short film based on Edgar Allan Poe's poem Anabelle Lee.

Represented by:
Peanut Gallery (27 21) 426 - 5404
Frame Craft (27 21) 434 - 5995
Association of visual arts (27 21) 424 - 7436