New Benguela Galleries artists for Leonardslee House collection

Now on display at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens in West Sussex, Benguela Galleries at Leonardslee House is showcasing the work of contemporary South African artists Razia Myers and Betzy Geldenhuys.

The historic estate, renowned as 'the finest woodland gardens in England', also features other South African artists - Anina Deetlefs, Xolani Sivunda, and Floris van Zyl. 

The exhibition in the UK is in conjunction with the successful residency of South African sculptor Anton Smit at Leonardslee, where he has created an expansive sculpture park, believed to be one of the largest in Europe for a single artist. Named the ‘Walk of Life’, it features over 80 figurative pieces, each strategically placed by Smit to fully utilise the scenic valley and lakeside locations within the estate's 240-acre Grade 1 Listed gardens. Leonardslee has also begun the process of installing over one hundred new sculptures created by local artists. 

Penny Streeter OBE, the owner of both the Benguela Cove and Leonardslee estates, is a major supporter of the arts in South Africa and the United Kingdom. “We are excited to have South African artists of international acclaim in both our galleries. It is important to foster the arts and encourage new and aspiring artists, especially in these challenging times,” she says. 

Razia Myers: Embracing Joy, Utopian Visions, and the Power of Art 

Visual artist and sculptor Razia Myers, renowned for her daring experimentation in style and subject matter, aims to bring happiness and shine to people's lives through her art. Originally from Johannesburg, Myers now calls Cape Town her home. 

Myers explains her artistic motivation: “The reason why I create the pieces I do is that I want to bring joy, a feeling of elation and brightness to people through my art. I believe there is enough sadness and strife in the world right now and our responsibility as artists is to make the world a better place to live in. 

“This is why I choose the colours I do and why I am so drawn to designers who, through fashion, make people feel better about themselves.” 

In 2021, Myers found inspiration in Donatello Versace's Spring Summer Collection, which envisioned a utopian world of peaceful coexistence among all creatures. This inspiration led her to create the expressionist work "Utopia". 

Myers began her artistic journey in 2015 under the guidance of Paul Birchall at the Ruth Prowse School of Art, later studying with Jill Trappler. In 2016, she was awarded a Masterclass and Arts Residency Scholarship at the Jerusalem School of Arts in Italy, where she participated in an intensive studio programme under the tutelage of Israel Hershberg. 

Myers is also committed to fostering the artistic interests of disadvantaged children through her work as a mentor for the Home from Home organization. 

Three of Myers' latest pieces are currently on exhibition at Leonardslee Gardens, with two of them drawing inspiration from nature and the work of renowned South African artist Irma Stern. The third piece, titled "The Hunt after Irma Stern," pays homage to Stern's confident brushstrokes, diverse subject matter, and captivating colour palette. 

Betzy Geldenhuys: A Lifetime Dedicated to the Art of Painting 

Betzy is an accomplished artist who has dedicated 35 years to sketching and painting. Her passion for art has never wavered, and she draws inspiration from a variety of sources including colour, light shades, reflections, shadows, and textures. With over 2,000 oil paintings sold, Betzy's artwork has found homes in London, America, Botswana, and South Africa. Her portfolio showcases a mix of realistic and imaginative pieces. 

Betzy's artistic journey began in childhood, when she would frequently draw her friends. After getting married and raising three children, she realised she needed to pursue her passion and share her art with the world. She sold her paintings for a while before eventually purchasing and running her own gallery. She also enrolled in classes with South African abstract painter George Boys, who instilled confidence in her abilities. Betzy has since taught art classes and exhibited her work throughout South Africa for the past 45 years. 

For Betzy, being an artist means recognising and developing one's inner talent, a process that can take a lifetime for some. Her desire is for people to experience the mood, colour interaction, shadows, light, and energy captured in her paintings through selective techniques. Betzy's dedication to her craft is evident in her impressive body of work and continued commitment to teaching and sharing her love of art. 

“Painting to me is very uplifting, tremendously inspiring, and often sacred, reminding me that it is part of God's creation. I find much joy and inspiration in my surroundings and this helps me to become more passionate and inspired,” she says. 

For further information: Benguela Galleries - Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens 

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Editors notes

Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens is a family-owned vineyard estate, near Horsham in West Sussex, which features ‘the finest woodland gardens in England’, Grade I Listed, as well as a Michelin Star restaurant and luxury vineyard accommodation.

The 240-acre estate was established by Sir Edmund Loder, the great Victorian plant collector, and now includes a Sussex Wine vineyard, with the first release of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier sparkling wine in 2024.

The estate features outstanding displays all year round. In the spring this includes rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, magnolias and bluebells. The collection is exceptional in its diversity and maturity, with several rare ‘champion’ trees, threatened in their natural habitat.

The gardens offer a protected ecosystem for rare wildlife such as Emperor Dragonflies and Damselflies, White Admiral and Purple Hairstreak butterflies and migratory and native birds - Kites, Great Tits, Tree Creepers, Nuthatches, Woodpeckers and Nightingales.

The estate reopened in April 2019, following acquisition and two years’ intensive work by entrepreneur Penny Streeter OBE to restore the woodland gardens after eight years of closure and neglect under previous ownership. It was the largest garden restoration project in the United Kingdom since Heligan 30 years before.

Since further restoration work in 2021, visitors can also stay in the luxury vineyard hotel after dining at Restaurant Interlude in Leonardslee House, the Grade II Listed Italianate mansion house, to experience the Michelin Star multi-course tasting menu created by chef Jean Delport.

Visitors can view a magical world in miniature at the Beyond the Doll's House exhibition, which depicts the Edwardian estate and neighbouring villages at 1:12 scale. They can then enjoy a classic afternoon tea in the mansion house, making for a great family day out. It is one of the top places to visit in Sussex and is open all year round except Christmas Day.

For great days out, there is an extensive programme of entertainment that includes winter garden illuminations and light trails, wine and beer festivals, photo and art exhibitions, live music events, cooking and gardening demonstrations, arts and crafts fairs, modelling and toy shows, and children’s events and adventure trails.

Vineyards –

Leonardslee Estate: Acquired 2018 - 3.1 Acres - 2018 First vines planted - 4,000 Estimated bottles Experimental planting of Pinotage - 2022 First estate Pinotage

Mannings Estate: Acquired 2017 - 34 Acres - 2017 First vines planted - 70,000 Estimated bottles Sparkling wine cultivars 60% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Meunier - 2024 First release of wine