Our Patrons
Council shall be empowered to invite one or more citizens of eminence to accept the dignity of Patron of the Society.
Conrad Theys
Conrad was born in Montagu in 1940. Growing up in Loeriesfontein and matriculating in Paarl, he completed his studies as a teacher in Brighton College in Oudtshoorn.
After receiving a grant from the Cape Education Department, he approached Gregoire Boonzaier to guide him in his art career. After some exposure in the artworld, Conrad embarked on a full time career as an artist in 1974. In 1981 and 1982, he also studied graphic art under Edwine Simon at the Ruth Prowse School of Art in Cape Town.
Conrad is an artist of landscapes, portraits and still-life. He works in oil and pastels as well as watercolour, ink-wash, pencil charcoal and in various graphic media.
In 2002 he was made a Patron of SASA and in 2004 he was honored by the University of South Africa with an honorary doctorate.Collections that feature his works include the SABC Art Collection, SA Reserve Bank Art Collection, Rand Merchant Bank and the ABSA Art Collection. Gifts from Conrad to our society, for which we are so grateful, allowed us to start our Outreach programme.
Sam Nthlengethwa
Sam Nhlengethwa is one of South Africa’s foremost artists. Born in 1955, he studied at Rorke’s Drift and the Johannesburg Art Foundation. He was awarded the Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year award in 1994, the year South Africa held its first democratic elections. He has exhibited all over the world from Senegal to New York and Cologne. His work is largely figurative and he explores themes that are close to his heart such as jazz, human interactions and the physical space of contemporary Africa.
Sam is one of the founders of the legendary Bag Factory in Newtown, in the heart of Johannesburg, where he used to share studio space with fellow greats such as David Koloane and Pat Mautloa. He has been included in many contemporary South African art publications and his work can be found in leading South African and International collections.
We were honoured when, in 2016, Sam flew down from Gauteng to open our 110th Annual Exhibition.
Hayden Proud
Hayden Proud was born and educated in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. He initially studied for an art education degree at the Michaelis School of Fine Art, UCT, later switching to a fine arts degree followed by a Higher Diploma in Education.
While teaching at UCT he completed an Honours degree in art history at UNISA. In 1991 he was appointed as Curator of Historical Paintings and Sculpture at the South African National Gallery (SANG). He also read for an MA at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London. After the SANG’s amalgamation within Iziko Museums, he was appointed to the curatorship of the Michaelis Collection from which he has now retired. SASA members have been treated to his insight and knowledge on walkabouts and talks over the years.
Hayden has authored and co-authored over a dozen books on the arts and different artists including SASA’s Centenary publication, The Advancement of Art which features many famous artists who were members of the society during its first 50 Years.
