A solo exhibition of works by 95-year-old Sarrel van Rensburg will take place in Montagu and will be presented at the Montagu Hotel. Van Rensburg dedicated his life to conquering high peaks and capturing their majesty on canvas, and despite his age, he continues to create actively.
The oldest professional artist in Montagu will present his life's passion at a grand exhibition titled 'All the Mountains I Have Conquered' at the Montagu Country Hotel art gallery this month.
Van Rensburg is known in national mountaineering and climbing circles; he is as strong on rocks as he is with a painter's brush. This legendary figure reached the summit of Kilimanjaro and the Everest base camp in his eighties, and famously conquered Bloumont in the Langeberg mountain range. Although his time for active high-altitude climbing has passed, his spirit of adventure remains unwavering.
Today, he regularly takes walks along the lower, rocky ridges of the Langeberg, using his favorite Kranскоп route located near his apartment in Montagu, and travels across the region's highest mountain passes in his reliable SUV.
Van Rensburg admits that he enjoys driving independently and reaching mountain summits during road trips, although this, according to him, is somewhat different from the excitement and satisfaction of reaching the highest peaks as a mountaineer.
Van Rensburg's paintings reflect his love for mountaineering and climbing.
As a former mechanical engineer, Van Rensburg possesses immense energy that extends far beyond oil painting. When he is not painting in his studio or sculpting wood, he may be busy working on engines in his workshop or pursuing his long-standing interest in choral music.
He was a member of the SAUK choir in the 1950s and still sings in the Huis Uitvlucht residents' choir.
Technically savvy and deeply sociable, he manages his own Facebook page and maintains an active social life, attributing his long and healthy life to a good sense of humor, curiosity, and the ability to find joy in small moments of everyday nature.
As a non-smoker who adheres to a strict ketogenic diet, he maintains a pragmatic approach to his lifestyle. He jokes, 'I only drink alcohol when necessary,' adding that while he follows the diet, 'a little sugar won't hurt, especially if it's burned off.'
Van Rensburg's exhibition will run from October 1st to November 30th at the Montagu Country Hotel art gallery, with a special opening on Wednesday, October 7th.