Hannes Harrs

On May 25, at 16.45, South Africa lost one of its greatest artists…

Hannes Harrs, aged 79, sat down for a little rest, after a productive day spent in his studio. He sat back in his favorite chair to contemplate his latest painting and fell asleep. It was a short while later, when his wife came to cover him with a blanket that she realized that he has left this world…

Hannes, born into an artistic family in Germany in 1927, immigrated to South Africa at the age of 23. With his European background and schooling, he contributed to art in South Africa in a unique way, a contribution that has yet to be comprehended fully. His passionate involvement with Africa dates back to his childhood when his uncle, who was a ship’s captain, brought him artefacts from Africa. They filled his young artistic soul with wonderment and led to an obsession that brought him to Africa in the 1950's.

His love for Africa and the artifacts of its peoples inspired his creativity. Only Hannes intellect and insight absorbed the rhythms, colours, textures and content of Africa, and then transfigured them meaningfully into universality. He experienced Africa in a uniquely personal way, which the world of art lovers salutes.

From humble beginnings and his first public exhibition at the Egon Guenter Gallery in 1961, Hannes produced and exhibited in major art galleries around the world.

We celebrate the life of Hannes; accomplished artist, sculptor and printmaker, well known not only in South Africa, but also abroad. He will be sadly missed by his family and associates, but his memory will live on in the many wonderful works of art, which he had produced…

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Hannes Harrs

A brief summery of Hannes Harrs achievements.

1927 - Born Eckernfoerde, Germany
1943-1944 - Pupil of Carl Lambertz
1950 - Arrived in South Africa
1950-1956 Studied at the Johannesburg School of Arts and Crafts full time.
1961 - Continuously exhibited in South Africa
1969 - Biennale, Montecatini, Italy
1969 - First graphics with Egon Guenther
1970 - 2. Biennale, Buenos Aires
1971 - 2. Biennale, Carpi, Italy
1972 - Continuously exhibited in Germany

1972 - National Gallery Windhoek, Namibia
1973 - 1. Biennale, Segovia, Italy
1984 - Xylon 9, Winterthur, Switzerland
1991 - Interart, Moscow
1994 - Leslie Sacks Fine Art, Los Angeles
2001 - Peterson Fine Art

Commissions
St. John the worker, Catholic Church Bosmont, Johannesburg
Johannesburg International Airport, Johannesburg
Airport Sun Hotel, Johannesburg
Stadthalle, Eckernfoerde

Collections
Afri-Karner Museum Trust
Johannesburg Art Gallery, Pretoria
Kimberley
Durban Art Galleries
Witwatersrand University, Johannesburg
Pretoria University
RAU-Johannesburg
Stadthalle, Eckernfoerde
Sasol, South Africa
Absa Bank, South Africa
Preussag, Hanover
Brand, Cape Town
Rathaus, Eckernfoerde
Richemont Collection, Zug, Switzerland
Landesmuseum Schleswig-Holstein, Schloss Gottorp

Publications
Merian, Suedafrica, 12/XXXII, Hamburg
ARTLOOK 55, June 1971, Johannesburg
Lantern, Dec. 1978, Pretoria
Heimatgemeinschaft Eckernfoerde, No 35, 1977 (Jahrbuch)
E. Rankin, IMAGES OF WOOD, 1989, Johannesburg Gallery
Jahrbuch, des Schleswig Landesmuseums, Schloss Gottorf, Band VI, 1996-1998
Spuren des Regenbogens, Oberoestereichisches Landesmuseum, 2001
Hannes Harrs / Three BaKuba Collages, 2003
Inspired by Africa, 2004

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The Swan by Hannes Harrs - 2000

The Swan - 2000

This is the third and final Hannes Harrs painting offered.

The Swan - Outside frame measures 61 centimetres x 82 centimetres and the painting itself (as above),  51 centimetres x 71 centimetres. The work is signed - dated and identified as W7 – 26 on the reverse.

High resolution images and prices available on request.