Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/433799
S P O R T I N G C L A S S I C S 1 1 1 enjoyed his bush travels with Van Schalkwyk. "He is, first, a good friend with a keen intellect and highly tuned sensitivity to his environment. He is clearly inspired by the African landscape. "Jaco has mastered his craft superbly and has a mature palette and brushstroke. I love looking at his paintings–– discovering the layers of painterliness and feeling his interpretation of things we've witnessed together." Notes Parker: "David's been a mentor to Jaco. He's not only an excellent painter and naturalist, he's a fearless wanderer." Langmead is not interested in portraying African wildlife as a cliché gleaned from viewing subjects behind a long camera lens. He enjoys following tracks and disappearing into the maze of game trails, examining spoor to glean what the animals are eating, and observing wildlife at its most mysterious times—in the edges between night and day. Of Parker, Langmead says that few art dealers push the limits of artists in their galleries by putting them in challenging conditions and forcing them to directly observe from nature. "When we travel to the bush, we are totally at one with our environment," Langmead says. "It's a place where we find a common spiritual reinforcement. On one occasion Ross and I spent an entire day in a hide in the Kalahari watching a waterhole, and there were times when we spent several hours in total silence, just absorbing." T he research expedition to Mana was followed by a recent journey across the river to North Luangwa Park in Zambia. Artwork produced from that mission will be unveiled in 2016. "Upon arrival in Zambia, I thought this is what Africa must have looked like when the first European explorers and settlers arrived," says Van Schalkwyk. "Once again the landscape was breathtaking and one got the feeling that its wildlife is still untouched." On the way to the park, they stayed at the historical Shiwa Ng'andu Estate. "A true colonial beaut," Van Schalkwyk says. The 40-room colonial castle was built by Sir Stewart Gore-Browne in the early 20th century and is still occupied by his grandchildren. "I felt transported back in time and relived the golden days of British colonial life in Zambia," he says. "A definite must for anyone who wants to make Zambia their next adventure." The same kind of Manifest Destiny that swept across the American West, premised on the myth of an endless frontier, is bearing down on the region. "Sadly, our last remaining wildlife areas in Africa are all under threat from the monsters of greed and mindless commerce," Langmead says. "All the great parks currently exist in a state of nervous apprehension." The art that he, Van Schalkwyk, and Gonde create is intended to generate awareness but he admits it will take help from influential collectors to spread the word. In this age of viral technology, outside pressure is what's needed, and he knows of no group more passionate than sportsmen. "I am always hopeful that sanity will prevail, and I would encourage international trading partners to persuade the Zambian and Zimbabwean governments to manage the treasure trove of nature in the Zambezi Valley as a much more valuable asset than any finite amount of minerals, fossil fuels, or ivory," he says. "I fear we've reached a turning point." As for Van Schalkwyk, his art is already spurring meaningful conversations in Johannesburg and Cape Town. "For me, art that doesn't elicit a response in its viewers isn't accomplishing its purpose," he says. "When viewers see the works we are producing, I hope the subjects give them a single reaction: Awe." Note: Call of Africa will unveil its Great Zambezi exhibition at the Dallas Safari Club Convention, January 15-18, in Dallas. All three artists will be in attendance. The exhibition will move to the Houston Safari Club Convention, January 23-25, and then to the Safari Club International Convention, February 4-7, in Las Vegas. At the SCI show, Call of Africa will also feature new monuments by sculptor T.D. Kelsey and, on Friday, February 6, noted artist John Seerey-Lester will be working on a painting of Theodore Roosevelt and signing copies of his new book, Legends of the Hunt: Campfire Tales (published by Sporting Classics). The artists will also appear at both Native Visions Galleries in Florida—on February 20 in Naples and February 27 in Jupiter. GREY GHOST by MOPHO GONDE