More from Klaarstroom
Klaarstroom… Oh, Klaarstroom!!
I just can't get enough of this little village! There’s something about it—the village itself and the wide open "Karoo platteland" surrounding it—that captivates me every time I visit. The way the light falls on the fynbos and the mountains, especially during the golden hour in the late afternoon, creates an almost magical atmosphere. See my "Klaarstroom Across The Donga post here" if you haven't already seen it. In that post, I mentioned that there would be more to come from this special place, and here it is! And I have no doubt that there will be even more in the future. Klaarstroom has gotten under my skin, and every time I return, I discover something new that sparks my creativity.
These two smaller works are quite a departure from my usual, larger canvases. While I do enjoy working on a grand scale, there’s always a demand for smaller pieces as well, particularly around this time of year when international tourists flood into Cape Town. Smaller works are easier to pack and transport, which makes them perfect for travelers who want to take a piece of South Africa home with them. These two paintings were recently on consignment at Uniquity Gallery in Cape Town, and I’m happy to say they’ve now been sold and are making their way to Singapore. This marks a first for me—there are Bonney paintings in many countries around the world, but this is the first in Singapore. It’s always a thrill when my art travels to new corners of the globe, especially when it carries with it a piece of the South African landscape.
Klaarstroom Towards Meiringspoort
Take a closer look at the first painting, "Klaarstroom Towards Meiringspoort". In this piece, the old tractor sits in the foreground, with the iconic backdrop of the Swartberg Mountains. The gap in the mountains behind the tractor is the Meiringspoort Pass, which is one of the most remarkable natural features of this region. It’s not a typical mountain pass in the way we often think of mountain pass—steep and winding with hairpin bends—but rather a meandering road that follows the course of rivers and streams through a natural cleft in the mountains. The word poort translates to “gateway,” and that’s exactly what Meiringspoort is—a gateway between the Little Karoo on the De Rust side and the Great Karoo on the Klaarstroom side. It's stunning, and the geology and history fascinating. Have a look at this website for some of the Meringspoort story and backstory. Fascinating stuff!!
For those unfamiliar with the area, Meiringspoort offers a stunning contrast of geology, history, and natural beauty. It’s a place where the landscape feels timeless, where the rhythms of nature have been unbroken for millennia. I recommend anyone traveling along the R62 to spend at least two nights in the area—one night on each side of the pass. On the De Rust side, stay at Meijer’s Rust, a superb guest farm that sits right at the foot of the Swartberg Mountains. On the Klaarstroom side, the Klaarstroom Hotel is a charming spot to spend the night and get a taste of local hospitality. During your stay, be sure to take a day to explore the poort itself. Pack a picnic, take a hike to the Meiringspoort waterfall, and soak in the beauty that surrounds you. When we did this, it became one of those rare, unforgettable days where everything just seems to fall into place.
The Klaarstroom Towards Meiringspoort painting captures this sense of place and time. There’s a kind of stillness in the scene, but also a palpable energy—the way the light plays on the landscape, the shadows on the mountains creeping across the landscape, and the sense that everything in this place is connected. The tractor and cottage are iconic symbols of the region, representing the simplicity and resilience of life in the Karoo. They are humble reminders of the hardworking people who have called this land home for generations.
Klaarstroom Cottage and Sisal Plant
The second painting, "Klaarstroom Cottage And Sisal Plant.", depicts a different corner of the village. This cottage sits just outside Klaarstroom, close to the entrance on the Meiringspoort side. I suspect that in a past life, this building may have been a small church or mission station—something of that nature—before being converted into a private home. it has that sort of architecture. What immediately drew me to this scene was the striking sisal plant next to the cottage. I have a deep affection for sisal plants. There’s something about their sculptural form that resonates with me—how they seem to defy the harshness of the Karoo climate, with its intense heat and dryness, and stand resilient against the elements. No matter what the season, they endure.
In many ways, sisal plants are emblematic of the Karoo itself. Despite the sometimes unforgiving conditions, the Karoo has a way of nurturing strength and resilience. Life here is sparse, but in the most remarkable ways, it is also rich. The Karoo offers beauty in the form of wide, open spaces, dramatic skies, and resilient flora like the sisal plant. It’s a place where the harshness of the environment and the quiet majesty of the land coexist in a delicate balance.
The architecture of the house in the painting is also quintessentially Karoo—a fusion of simplicity and practicality. It’s a beautiful example of the platteland genre of architecture, with its whitewashed walls, corrugated iron roof, and sturdy, time-worn structure. As with many other houses in the area, it has been lovingly restored, preserving the character and charm of the original building. The Karoo, with its expansive landscapes and sparse settlements, has a certain quiet beauty that can only be fully appreciated by slowing down and taking the time to notice the little details—the textures, the colours, and the way light and shadow shift across the land.
The Karoo’s Influence on My Work
For me, the Karoo is more than just a backdrop for my paintings; it’s an integral part of my creative process. The wide open spaces, the stillness, the ever-changing light—these elements provide endless inspiration for my work. Whether I’m painting the Karoo landscape in grand, sweeping vistas or in the more intimate scenes like the ones I’ve captured here, the Karoo always finds its way into my art.
As an artist who often works on a large scale, I’ve come to appreciate the challenge and satisfaction of working smaller, too. These two pieces, though modest in size, are packed with the same depth and energy that I strive for in my larger works. Sometimes, working on a smaller canvas allows me to focus even more on the detail, the textures, and the subtleties of light. Each stroke of the brush has to count, and I find that in smaller works, the act of painting becomes more intimate. I think it’s that intimacy that resonates with people, whether they’re South African or from halfway across the world in Singapore.
It’s a beautiful thing when people visit South Africa, experience the magnificence of the Karoo, and take home a piece of that beauty with them. The Karoo has a way of staying with you long after you’ve left its wide, open spaces and far away mountain ranges. And for me, as an artist, it’s a gift to be able to share that sense of place through my work.