Jaco van Schalkwyk

In honour of earth day, I decided to post the paintings of, Jaco van Schalkwyk, whose work explores the relationship between humans and nature.

Reminiscent of 19th century Romantic painting in their depiction of sublime landscapes, the meticulously realized paintings of Jaco van Schalkwyk nevertheless retain their own identity and contemporary relevance. Van Schalkwyk considers the troubled relationship between man and the natural world he inhabits, bearing witness to the disastrous effects human activity has had on the natural environment. In his vast, absorbing canvases, van Schalkwyk presents desolate, uninhabited spaces that are simultaneously unsettling and poignantly beautiful. His interest in the human interaction with the natural environment has since been extended to his recent stay in Bali, where ancient traditions and connections to the natural world are contrasted with pollution and neglect. Drawing upon this new stock of imagery, van Schalkwyk now looks to expand his observation of the human-nature relationship with considerations of notions of the exotic, the fetish and the souvenir.

In addition to van Schalkwyk’s four solo exhibitions at Barnard the artist’s work has been selected for inclusion on curated shows at respected museums and institutions in South Africa, USA, China and France and his paintings can be found in the collections of the South African Reserve Bank, University of Pretoria, Absa Bank, Ellerman House, Pretoria Art Museum, University of Johannesburg and Rand Merchant Bank Corporate Collection.
Statement Sourced From: http://barnardgallery.com/artists/jaco-van-schalkwyk/biography/

Pteridomania, 2017
Oil on Belgian linen
82 7/10 × 78 7/10 in
210 × 200 cm

This place I know, 2017
Oil on canvas
82 7/10 × 39 2/5 in
210 × 100 cm

Arcadia I, 2016
Oil on Belgian linen
68 9/10 × 51 1/5 in
175 × 130 cm

Faraway Exotic, 2017
Oil on Belgian linen
68 9/10 × 51 1/5 in
175 × 130 cm

Arcadia VII, 2016
Oil on Belgian linen
68 9/10 × 51 1/5 in
175 × 130 cm

Wandering while lying down, 2017
Oil on Belgian linen
82 7/10 × 78 7/10 in
210 × 200 cm

Images Sourced From: https://www.artsy.net/artist/jaco-van-schalkwyk-1

My Thoughts:
Jaco creates in this series of paintings, haunting landscapes devoid of any human element. Perhaps portraying nature as it could be or should be, but will never be as long as our mentality remains unchanged. Today is Earth Day and perhaps today of all days we can stop and think about the future of our planet as well as the future of mankind, because if we don't change our existence is doomed. There is no debating that point, the question is only how long do we have.
If we don't take heed of Jaco and other artists portraying the urgency of the subject, then we won't be celebrating Earth Day in the future, but rather Mars Day.
Artists can recreate images on canvas, but they cannot recreate the planet we live on.
In his paintings one gets the feeling of a planet resurrecting itself, a second Eden of the future.
Lets just hope that we can accomplish a second Eden with us as part of it.

This is just one series of Jaco's work and I chose this series because of Earth Day, but Jaco also has series of works portraying his study of people in every day life, still influenced though by 19th century style painting and the influence of his upbringing in faith home, Jatniël: the headquarters of the Latter Rain Mission International (recognised by the blue dresses worn by some of the female members). In all his work though, nature or people the underlying subject is the influence that time has on us and time is the one luxury that is running out on us.

Other Sites Featuring Jaco van Schalkwyk:
https://artthrob.co.za/2017/10/03/arium-interview-with-jaco-van-schalkwyk/
https://www.gallery2.co.za/artists/jaco_van_schalkwyk.htm
https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/arts-portal/visual-arts/eden-a-dreamy-study-of-nature-1932442

Please be aware that there are two contemporary artists by the name of Jaco van Schalkwyk, so here is a self portrait of Jaco to help guide you.