What wine do you serve to an artist on his way to Outdshoorn for a solo exhibition at the KKNK or Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees as its terrifyingly called? A wine from the Klein Karoo like the Gamka 2012 from Boplaas in Calitzdorp. An intense blend of Touriga Nacional and Shiraz, this is the kind of artistic statement that shows the Klein Karoo skrik vir niks when it comes to statement reds.

Jan du Toit’s exhibition opens on Saturday 29th at 9h30 in the Prince Vincent–gebou in Baron van Reedestraat. With an address like this, it cannot be anything but awe-inspiring. I had a preview of the works to be exhibited yesterday in Gardens and I rated them sighted 92/100 on the Platter scale. There is one particular painting in SAA orange which is clearly five star material.

SA fine wine and fine art are clearly on collision course and the gravity waves generated by their conflation will surely be felt throughout the cultural universe. At the end of the month, Outdshoorn will be home to some of the most talented artists in SA. Talents like Willem Boshoff (above) a Big Druid in his cubicle and Louis Jansen van Vuuren. The exhibition with the most subversive title is Hannalie Taute with Rubber Ever After. Viva safe art.

ABSA sponsors both the KKNK and an annual Top Ten Pinotage Competition. Perhaps if the two departments which handle art and wine sponsorship were amalgamated, a cross-fertilization (very Pinotage this) of cultural energy could be secured. How about it, (ABSA CEO) Maria Ramos?