artist mark hipper dies
I studied fine art at Rhodes University and Mark Hipper, an esteemed artist who has exhibited locally and abroad was one of the lecturers there. I didn’t study directly under him but he used to take part in the dreaded ‘crits’ where all our works for the semester were assessed in front of everyone in the art department from 1st year to masters to professors. It was a terrifying experience, Mark was equally terrifying but he was also hauntingly good. I am so sad to hear of his passing.
Zanele Kumalo
Photo: Kate Farrington via arttimes.co.za
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Death of Fine Artist: Mark Hipper [06.11.1960 – 12.08.2010]
Prolific and internationally esteemed South African artist Mark Hipper died unexpectedly of natural causes due to a lung collapse at his home in Grahamstown last Thursday: aged forty-nine.
Hipper, a senior lecturer at Rhodes University’s Fine Art Department was on sabbatical and preparing for a new exhibition entitled “Doppelgänger/Double” to be held at the Erdmann Contemporary this September in Cape Town.
In July this year selected works from over two decades of his career were accessioned into Erdmann Contemporary holdings, signalling the beginning of a new era. The collection encompasses works on paper, large paintings on board and canvas and watercolours.
At the time of his death Hipper was concluding a new series of work comprising of three large canvas paintings and several smaller canvases for “Doppelgänger/Double”.
He exhibited extensively both internationally and in South Africa and his work is represented in numerous important collections both locally and abroad. His fidelity to great art forced him to confront the tired, hackneyed ruses of representation by investigating ways of luring the viewer into confronting the ambiguity of images in contemporary society. In eschewing representational art, and yet embracing the figure as the truth of art, Hipper was often misconstrued as courting controversy for controversy’s sake.
Hipper had a boundless interest in all forms of expression and he actively sought out friendships and collaborations with a diverse grouping of people. His reserved demeanour, intelligence and generosity of spirit benefited all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Mark Hipper was much loved as a kind, thoughtful, generous teacher and friend. He is survived by his mother Nena, sister Marie-Louise, brother Gerd, his nieces Thandiwe and Caitlin, and nephew Matthias. .
A memorial service was be held in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape this Wednesday, 18 August, 3pm at the Rhodes University Chapel.
Farewell Mark Hipper : RIP