Terry Kobus

Born and educated in Zimbabwe, Terry Kobus enjoyed spending time in the bush while growing up and this is evident in his choice of subject matter as he still returns to remote places to find inspiration. He left Zimbabwe and moved to South Africa to study Fine Art in the late seventies after which he accepted a post as lecturer in Graphic Printmaking at WITS Technikon in Johannesburg. He was then involved in graphic design for 30 years before returning to his first love of painting.

Terry’s passion for mountain biking has created an interesting synergy. Riding his bike into remote areas; camera and sketchbook ever ready; Terry collects reference material for paintings of the unique indigenous Nguni cattle in the rural areas of South Africa, as well as that for local birds and trees. Quick sketches in his journal translate into detailed, more polished paintings which capture moments in time away from the big cities in the grasslands of Zululand, the Drakensberg and along the Transkei Wild Coast. The scenic beauty of the Western Cape also offers inspiration, clear in Terry’s paintings of his home town Hermanus and the surrounding Overberg.

‘Found surfaces’ offer Terry with unusual backgrounds for his work, from the tops of oak wine barrels, to old hand-written envelopes and worthless Zimbabwean dollar bank notes. Terry has exhibited in France, USA and across South Africa and has works in many international collections.