AGAC 2024 Top 25 Finalist - Marc Alexander - Afrikaners is Plesierig

Marc Alexander, born in Pretoria and now based in Cape Town, is known for his hyper-realistic portrait and wildlife paintings. His work combines traditional oil painting with gilding and texturing, drawing inspiration from Dutch and Flemish masters while remaining fresh and contemporary. Marc explores themes of societal norms and human nature.
With a background as a Museum Technologist and Curator at the Pretoria Art Museum, Marc has developed a career in painting, curation, and gallery management. From 2015 until June this year, he and his wife, Lindy, managed The Studio Art Gallery, a dynamic contemporary art space in Simon’s Town. As an educator, Marc founded the Alexander Art Academy, offering comprehensive art classes that focus on classical and contemporary fine art techniques and colour theory. His passion for teaching is evident in his structured yet encouraging approach, guiding students of all levels to unlock their creative potential.

My oil painting Afrikaners is Plesierig draws inspiration from Grant Wood's American Gothic, a classic representation of rural American life with its iconic farmer and daughter standing before their home. This image of simplicity and connection to the land resonates with my childhood memories of visiting my grandparents' farm in George. Those visits were filled with family warmth, the scent of freshly ploughed earth, and the joy of eating braaivleis, melktert, and koeksisters.
In Afrikaners is Plesierig, I aim to capture the essence of Afrikaner culture, as reflected in the song. The title signifies the joy tied to Afrikaner traditions, depicted through an elderly couple braaing, preparing krummelpap, and sipping brandy and Coke—a nostalgic nod to the Afrikaner way of life. By echoing American Gothic, I emphasise shared themes of hard work, family unity, rural traditions and a deep-rooted connection to the land. The scene, set against a Karoo landscape with aloes, incorporates the iconic farmhouse from Wood’s painting, giving it a distinctly South African context.
This painting serves as a personal tribute to the values I hold dear, while also celebrating the rich heritage of Afrikaner culture.