Machiel Hopman (1928-2001)
We met with Machiel Hopman in his studio, during one of his expositions,
shortly before he passed away. While drinking a glass of red wine, he was
talking about his compassionate life as an artist. Being an artist brought
him to Paris, New York and South Africa.
In his birth place The Hague he passed his study for visual arts at the
'Academie voor Beeldende Kunsten' and continued his study in Paris for a
year.
In 1954 he went to South Africa by boat. In South Africa he painted 'abstract
compositions with explosive colours'. In Johannesburg he opened his own
gallery, the Hopman Gallery. During this time he invited black artists into
his Gallery which was very unusual since apartheid still excised. Under the
name of Nzama, he has made very impressive paintings, which have had
much success in both Holland and the USA.
Machiel painted the reality of everyday life in South Africa, such as life
in shanty towns, but always with a gleam of hope for a better future.
An example being painting a bright little piece in a dark blue sky.
Everything, including the warm bright colours of abstract compositions, has
been painted from the heart. An example is the painting beside this text.
To escape the problems of apartheid, he left South Africa for Holland in 1973.
He took his wife and children with him. Once back in his favourite country,
he was impressed once again by the mix of space, freedom, warmth and
imposing landscapes. He painted with a passion and unprecedented colour
intensity.
Even after hearing about his severe illness Machiel Hofman continued painting.
Until his death in 2001. There is so much expression in his works that they
are convincing and affecting, even to this day.
Also view:
www.machielhopman.nl 
