Klik hier om die openingstoespraak by Marcella se 2009, aangebied deur Magdaleen du Toit, te lees

Click here to read the opening speech at Marcella's 2009 exhibition delivered by Ilse van Staden

Klik hier om die openingstoespraak by Marcella se 2009 uitstalling, aangebied deur Ilse van Staden, te lees

Marcella de Boom's name, in her native tongue, means Marcella of the Tree.

I can easily imagine Marcella, both the person and the artist, as a tree.

• A tree deeply rooted in rich multi-textured and fertile earth;
• A tree that stretches its branches to the sun and transcends the ordinary and mundane.
• A tree in which many playful creatures and singing birds nestle.
• A tree that mourns the passing of Summer and becomes sad when daylight fades; truly, a tree for all seasons.

I cannot describe Marcella in ordinary platitudes such as an artist who has a passion for her art. Because she is her art and her art is she. Her hand built mud-house and gallery with the stained glass windows and ceramics, her paintings, her sculptures and her drawings are all manifestations and extensions of her own abundant, generous self.

To have one of Marcella's art works is to posses a cutting of a wonderful, magic tree that will for ever grow in the heart.

Marinus Wiechers,
Former vice-chancellor, University of South Africa,
Friend and fellow-artist.