April Newsletter
35TH YEAR EXHIBITION: WALKABOUT IN COLLABORATION WITH
STRAUSS & CO
Artist Proof Studio, in partnership with Strauss & Co, recently hosted a Friends & Collectors Walkabout during the final week of our 35th Year Exhibition.
This relaxed and engaging session created space for conversation, reflection, and a deeper appreciation of the works on display. Guided by Kim Berman and Nathi Simelane, attendees gained valuable insight into printmaking techniques, the narratives behind the artworks, and what makes printmaking such a dynamic and accessible medium for collectors.
Art specialist Wilhelm van Rensburg also shared perspectives on the value of collecting and investing in printmaking, enriching the experience for both seasoned and emerging collectors.
Browse and purchase works via our online store to continue supporting APS and artists.
Print Exchange Collaboration: APS x University of Johannesburg
Artist Proof Studio continues to strengthen its partnership with the University of Johannesburg through the annual third-year student academic collaboration.
This year, students will engage with the theme of Censorship, exploring its complexities through printmaking. The collaboration will culminate in a dynamic print exchange later in the year, following the completion of their respective bodies of work.
The resulting prints will reflect both the technical skill and critical thinking of the next generation of artists, reinforcing APS’s commitment to collaboration, access, and artistic development.
By engaging with themes of freedom, restriction, and expression, this initiative creates space for meaningful dialogue while highlighting the role of art in interrogating societal boundaries.
Adrian Kohler in the APS Pro-Shop
We were honoured to welcome renowned artist and puppeteer Adrian Kohler to the APS studio, where he has been developing a new body of work inspired by Life & Times of Michael K, the acclaimed novel by J. M. Coetzee.
Originally published in 1983, the novel remains one of the most significant works in South African literature. Its central character, Michael K, is defined by quiet resilience and introspection qualities that have resonated across decades.
Through the work of Handspring Puppet Company, co-led by Adrian Kohler and Basil Jones, this narrative has been reimagined for the stage, transforming Coetzee’s sparse prose into a visually compelling and deeply embodied theatrical experience. Through puppetry, movement, and visual storytelling, the production captures both the fragility and strength of its protagonist.
Kohler’s time at APS extends this creative journey into the medium of printmaking. His series of prints, inspired by the character and narrative, brings a new visual dimension to the story.
This moment represents a powerful intersection of literature, performance, and visual art highlighting APS as a space for interdisciplinary exploration and innovation.
Browse and purchase Adrian Kohler’s work via our online store.
The JSE Team Visits APS Education
APS is proud to maintain a longstanding partnership with the JSE, and we remain deeply appreciative of their continued support.
In April, the JSE team visited our studios to produce a beneficiary video as part of their Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives. The video aims to highlight the real, human impact of their programmes by sharing the voices and lived experiences of APS students.
Through authentic storytelling, the project demonstrates how sustained investment contributes to community development, while enabling meaningful shifts in confidence, opportunity, and economic participation.
Support our students through the APS Patron Programme
APS Gives Back to the Community
APS recently partnered with the 1 Africa Foundation for the Take a Child to Workday initiative an annual programme designed to expose young learners to the world of work and inspire future career pathways.
The initiative introduced participants to the field of printmaking, offering insight into creative career opportunities and the skills required within the arts sector. By connecting education with real-world experience, the programme encourages curiosity, confidence, and self-awareness.
Such initiatives are vital in supporting the development of young people, particularly those from under-resourced communities, by fostering self-esteem and expanding their sense of possibility.
