Stoep, stoop, verandah, veranda, porch? Or should that be terrace? Different languages, different countries, different styles. Generally at the front of the house. Some grander than others. But anyone familiar with sitting on one, whichever one that may be, is stoepsitting by any other name.
Stoeping can become almost a profession, certainly a calling. The spell of the stoep is tremendous. Once you have your own seat there, it is difficult to be anywhere else.
H.V. Morton. 1948. In Search of S. Afr. p. 286
Enjoy some artwork representing stoeps and stoepsitting! The name of the artwork, artist and source of the image is below each one.
https://africartmarket.today/en/artworks/op-die-stoep-356619/
You can read more about the artist and articles about his work at Johannes Meintjes: artist, author and historian 1923-1980 The JJohannes Meintjes Memorial Room at the Molteno High School exhibits more than 70 of his works, along with his valuable Africana Library.
https://robertsonartgallery.co.za/product/up-the-alley
Aviva Maree is a self-taught South African painter. She paints in oils, and a frequent subject is women going about their everyday work. “She has a vibrant use of colour, bold brushstroke and captures the light of the moment”. (Robertson Art Gallery) Read more about the artist here
https://susannedutoit.com/product/stoepsit/
Susanne du Toit writes “I have been a fan and collector of Hylton Nel’s work since my first encounter in 1980. I painted Hylton and his partner Bernard Wilke at their home in Calitzdorp in 2017. Bernard sadly died while this painting was in progress.”
Nel typically uses line drawings and script to decorate his quirky ceramics, which include plates, vases, bowls, plaques, figurines, and small sculptures.
Jenny Boon has a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Pretoria in 1997. She is an illustrator of chldren’s books, paints en plein air as well as in her studio; her first love is painting with oils. Read more about her portraits, paintings of trees and historical buildings, landscapes, sketches and more on her website
https://www.southafricanartists.com/stoepsit–on-the-porch-104516
Helen Brink paints in the Mossel Bay area, and is paticularly inspired by the daily rhythym of people’s lives. “I love strong sunlight and the contrast between light and dark and was drawn to this vingette because of the above as well as the figure enjoying the warm winter sun”
https://www.artworkarchive.com/profile/peter-bonney/artwork/the-old-man-on-the-stoep?collection=pre-2016
“This old man enjoys the late afternoon sun on his verandah. A remote cottage near Calitzdorp on the R62 route in the Western Cape.” The unique realistic style of Peter Bonney intends to capture “The peace… the mood… the atmosphere… the charm… the colour… the wind… the dust… and most importantly of course… the story!” Read more about the artist here.
Rhodes Village is one of several small rural towns in South Africa holding an annual Stoepsitfees, celebrating slow living and the great outdoors. There’s a story on every stoep.
The next Rhodes Stoepsitfees will be held from the 22 to 23 February 2025. You can expect a variety of stoeps and events. Good stoepsitting!
For booking inquiries, contact the Rhodes Info Centre
info@rhodesinfo.co.za
045 971 9003 (Xoli)
073 797 2003 (Xoli)
You can link to their Facebook page here
