SURNAME: Michaletos
GIVEN NAMES: Aleta Cecilia
DATE OF BIRTH: 1952
PLACE OF BIRTH: Pretoria
PROFESSION: Artist and Gallery Owner
MARRIED TO: Teuns Botha
SON: Alexes
DAUGHTERS: Tabitha, Saskia, Gabriella

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY:
"I try to live each day in an acute state of awareness and vulnerability. My search does not end with knowledge, it starts with wisdom."

DETAILS OF EDUCATION:

1969 - Matriculated, Afrikaans Hoër Meisieskool, Pretoria.
1970 - Enrollment B.Arch., University of Pretoria.
1971 - Course change - Enrollment BA Fine Arts, University of Pretoria.
1974 - Completion BA Fine Arts , University of Pretoria.
Courses taken on own initiative:
"Life Line".
"Brain-gymnasium".
Several courses in 'stained glass' and 'mould-making'.
"The traditional art of icon-painting according to the Russian method".
Continuous Self-study and increasing Awareness

CAREER TO DATE:

Between 1971 and the present time, she has served on National Social Upliftment and Cultural Art Executive Committees. She has been a Trustee of the Goodwill Foundation and has served as a steering committee member of 'Positive Action Now!' She has also served as a committee member of the ' Friends of the Pretoria Art Museum' and the Regional Council for Cultural Affairs - Northern Transvaal. She acted as observer at meetings held by the Arts and Culture Steering Committee of The Central Witwatersrand Metropolitan Chamber and is currently still serving on the committee of the South African Arts Association (N.Tvl.) (SANAVA). She has been a nominee for the 'Interim Committee of the S.A. Arts Council' as well as the 'Truth and Reconciliation Hearings Committee'.

1978 - '81 Director of large Pretoria hotel

1983 Saw the establishment of a private gallery where she not only exhibits her own work but has identified and tirelessly promoted young artists of whom most have become household names on the S.A. art scene. Locally, she initiated the concept of 'theme' exhibitions and a home gallery'.

1988 She visited Athens, Sifnos and Ettlingen, Germany.

1992 She initiated and orchestrated the 'first ever' Russian Art to be shown in S.A.

1990 She performed as soloist and toured S.A. during the 70th birthday celebrations of the South African Air Force.

1990 Traveled to Switzerland and Germany

1991 Traveled to Germany and Greece

1994 Traveled to U.S.A. Visited N.Y. to receive Honour Award at the U.N headquarters. Traveled to Dordt College, Iowa as invited guest speaker

1995 She is adventurous and well travelled. The Namib desert has been a constant source of inspiration since this first visit.

1996 She allowed the mysteries of Egypt to reveal themselves to her. Space, solitude and atmosphere is increasingly reflected in her current work. In keeping with the total paradox that makes up her personality and is reflected in her art - extremes are juxtaposed to create harmony. She also visited Germany and London.

1998 Traveled to the Namib desert.

2000 A week long visit to Miami and New York and directly after that a 2 month stay in Paris with a 5 day visit to Germany and ending with 5 days in London.

2001 2-month stay in the Cité Internationale des Arts de Paris

2002 3-week visit to London during June/July to be followed by a 2-month stay at the Cité Internationale des Arts de Paris during November/December

In demand as public speaker to art and church groups, women's clubs and self-improvement organisations. Guest speaker and/or lecturer at: The Fine Arts Department (University of Pretoria); The Open Window Art Academy (Pretoria); Dordt College, Iowa USA, Ransom Everglades School, Miami USA and the South African Post Office.

Has been the subject of countless articles in local, national and international newspapers, magazines, television and radio interviews, covering her art, philosophy, cullinary skills, home and garden, private gallery and separate singing career.

16 solo exhibitions and 26 group exhibitions were conceptualized and curated by Aleta in her private gallery. She has exhibited in over 100 group exhibitions up to date and is currently preparing for a 13th solo exhibition which will be held during October 2002

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

1976 S A Arts Association in the Atelier, Netherlands Bank Building (Church Square, Pretoria)

1981 S A Arts Association in the North Gallery, Volkskas Centre (Pretoria). Paintings, Pen and Pencil Drawings.

1982 Waterkloof Garden Centre, Keith Kirsten (Pretoria) Pen and Ink Floral Studies.

1984 Beuster Skolimowski Gallery, Arcadia Centre (Pretoria).

1989 'Greece' - Aleta Michaletos Art Gallery (Pretoria)1991 'Retrospective', University of Pretoria

1990 'Retrospective' - Karl Hofer Museum, Ettlingen Schloss (Germany)

1994 Dual Exhibition: 'Drawing Attention to Transformation and Regeneration' and 'Precious Circle' - Pretoria Art Museum (Pretoria).

1994 United Nations Headquarters, New York (USA).

1995 Galerie La Vilette, Paris (France)

1999 IDHASA (Pretoria)

2000 'Michalenium' - Aleta Michaletos Art Gallery (Pretoria).

2001 'Looking at Life from a Different Perspective' - Aleta Michaletos Art Gallery (31 August

2002 'Point of Choice : Playing it Safe > Safe Haven' - Old Arts Gallery, University of Pretoria (Pretoria) in commemoration of golden jubilee. Paintings, Photography, Pen and Installation.

Some of the more important group exhibitions she has participated in:

1973 University of Pretoria

1980 '3-man exhibition', National Museum, Bloemfontein.

1980 'Half Century Exhibition', University of Pretoria.

1982 'Cape Town Triennale Finalists', Art Museum, Cape Town.

1982 'Cape Town Triennale Finalists', Pretoria Art Museum.

1983 'Arts Festival' - Pretoria Art Museum.

1986 'Festival' - University of Pretoria .

1986 'Centenary Art Exhibition', Pietersburg Art Museum .

1987 'Leading Pretoria Women Artists' - State Theatre Pretoria.

1987 'Paintings and Sculptures by S.A.Greek Artists' - Johannesburg.

1987 'Pretoria University Lecturers', Natal.

1988 'Official Opening: Human Science Research Council Building', Pretoria.

1989 Saheti School, Johannesburg.

1991 'Celebrations', New Gallery, South African Arts Association (N.Tvl.)

1991 Saheti School, Johannesburg.

1992 'Pretoria Painters and Sculptors (1963-1993)' - Pretoria Art Museum.

1993 Civic Centre, Springs.

1993 'Momentum Art 1993', Pretoria Art Museum.

1993 'Artists From the Greater Pretoria Region' - Unisa Art Gallery, Pretoria.

1993 'Friend's Choice', Pretoria Art Museum.

1994 'Official Opening of the Absa Gallery, Johannesburg.

1994 '3-man exhibition' ,Vaal Triangle Arts Association, Vanderbijlpark.

1994 'Official Opening Transvaal Education Department Building', Pretoria.

1995 'Miniature Exhibition', Pretoria Art Museum.

1995 'Freedom Day Festival', Union Buildings, Pretoria.

1995 'Madiba Auction', Cape Town.

1995 'Artists of the Greater Pretoria Region'- Unisa Art Gallery, Pretoria.

1995 Unesco 50th Birthday Celebration, Pretoria.

1996 'Space to Breathe', Pretoria Art Museum.

1996 'Cairo-S.A.Art in Egypt', Cairo, Egypt.

1996 '50th Celebration', Pretoria Art Museum.

1997 'Women's Day Celebration', African Window, Pretoria.

1999 'Marvol Manor Art Treasury ', Pretoria.

2000 'Rembrandt Through the Looking Glass', South African Arts Associasion, Pretoria.

2001 'Contemporary Landscape', Bellville Association of Arts,Cape Province.

2001 'Equus', South African Arts Association, Pretoria.

2001 'Femina', South African Arts Association, Pretoria.

2002 'Five Minutes of Silence' - Minds i Art Space, Brooklyn (Pretoria).

After having won the United Nations Art and Philatelic Award in 1994, she realised that her art work could generate funds for charity. Desiring direct involvement in social upliftment, has prompted her to generously donate her artwork on numerous occasions. 'Victims of Landmines", 'The Nelson Mandela Children's Fund', ' Rag Committee of the University of Pretoria' and several others, have benefitted from her contributions.

COLLECTIONS:

By choice she prefers to sell to passionate private collectors in South Africa, Germany, Greece, United Kingdom, USA etc. But increasingly her work is finding its way into public, corporate and international government collections.

Selected Local Collections:

  • Pretoria Art Museum
  • Lifegrow Collection
  • University of Pretoria
  • State Library
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Pietersburg Art Museum
  • Gauteng Education Department

    Selected International Collections:

  • Dordt College, Iowa
  • Karl Hover Museum, Ettlingen Schloss, Germany
  • United Nations Headquarters, New York
  • S.A.A Offices - New York
  • Philatelic Museum, Geneva
  • 40 International Ministers of Minerals and Energy

    Selected Private Collections:

  • Hans Erni (Swiss Artist)
  • Nelson Mandela
  • Barbara Davidson Collection (Palm Beach, USA)
  • Whitney Houston (USA)
  • Mikis Theodorakis (Greece)
  • Claude Challe (Paris, France)

    Quote by Quincy Jones: "..Aleta, a very talented and soulful lady, in Unity and Freedom."

    She is featured in:

  • 'Contemporary Artist's of Pretoria.' - Eric Bolsman
  • 'The Dictionary of South African Painters and Sculptors.' - Grania Ogilvie
  • 'The Collector's Guide to Art and Artists in S A' - 22TwentyTwo Press
  • 'Who's Who in the 21st Century (2001)' - International Biographical Centre
  • 'Zebra Register of South African Artists and Galleries 2001 & 2002'
  • Great Minds of the 21st Century (2002) - American Biographical Institute
  • 2000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century (2002) - IBC
  • 500 Founders of the 21st Centure (2002) - IBC

    WORKING STYLE : SERIES

    Typical of her working style, is the gradual unfolding and developement of a number of unrelated, yet inter-connected series of paintings. Broadly, they can be grouped under the following headings:

  • 'Alethea' - series (symbolical still-life-land-scapes)
  • 'Transformation and Regeneration'-series
  • 'A Room with a View'-series (interiors)
  • 'Poetry of Silence' - series (desert-scapes and land-scapes)
  • 'Cosmorganic' - series
  • 'Web-of Life' - series (interconnectedness)
  • 'Paris - Passion into Production'
  • 'Portraits'. She has completed several portraits of well known and private individuals, of which a number were commissioned. A symbolical portrait of Nelson Mandela, titled 'Rebirth', executed in 1994 and exhibited at the Pretoria Art Museum during her one-man exhibition; 'Drawing Attention to Transformation and Regeneration', won the United Nations Art and Philatelic Award in 1994.
  • 'Precious Circle' - For a period of 6 years, starting from 1989, she painstakingly collected material for a unique concept. With almost superhuman effort, discipline, perseverance and attention to detail she created collages from 'positive' clippings she cut from the daily newspapers and magazines. 'Precious Circle' is in direct contrast to the 'Vicious Circle' and the idea was conceived to counterbalance the many negative events portrayed in the South African press over a long period of time. 'Precious Circle' documents the hopes, dreams and aspirations of a whole society caught up in a process of inevitable change, during the most important era in South African history. 'Miraculously' the project ended on 10 May 1994, (the day Pres. Nelson Mandela was inaugurated). Newspapers abundantly reflected the 'new euphoria', and the final (50th!) collage could be created entirely from clippings made from 10 and 11 May 1994. The Circle was completed at last! 'Precious Circle' spans a mammoth 22 meters.

    'Precious Circle' has been exhibited at:

    1994 - Pretoria Art Museum
    1995 - Gallery La Villette, Paris, France.
    1998 - IDASA (venue for Truth and Reconcilliation Hearings), Pretoria.
    1999 - IDASA

    October 2002 - Playing it Safe - photography and sound installation

    Cranium (2002 - ) - 'Safe Haven' etc.

    Curiosity Cabinet (2002 - )

    Blue Prints, 3D mixed media sculptural plaques

    Preferred media:

  • oil
  • aquarelle
  • pen-and-ink
  • coloured pencil
  • photography
  • metals and technology

    HONOURS AND AWARDS:

  • Primary School: Deputy Head Prefect, Pretoria East Primary (Pretoria)
  • High School: Prefect (2 years), Afrikaans Meisies Hoër (Pretoria)
  • Finalist: Miss Teenage Personality (Pretoria)
  • Debutante: Rose Ball (Pretoria)
  • Merit Award: 'New Signatures' Art competition.
  • University: 'Parade 72' - talent competition-soloist, University of Pretoria. (2nd Prize)
  • 1990 - 2nd prize Photography Competition 'Our Wonderful World' (2nd Prize)
  • 1991 - Retrospective exhibition at University of Pretoria
  • 1991 - Guest of honour: farewell Director of the State Theatre, Pretoria.
  • 1991 - 3 month long Retrospective Exhibition as invited artist - Karl Hover Museum, Ettlingen Schloss, Germany.
  • 1994 - United Nations Art and Philatelic Award with 'Rebirth'. Joins the ranks of Miro, Chagall, Dali, Warhol, Calder, Vasarely, Rauschenberg and others.
  • 1994 - Honoured at a Press Luncheon at U.N. Headquarters, N.Y.
  • 1994 - Honoured at a Civil Banquet, Pretoria.
  • 1995 - Finalist: 'Excellence Award' - Greek Chamber of Commerce.
  • 1995 - 'Precious Circle' selected to be exhibited at the Gallery La Villette, Paris, France.
  • 1995 - Guest of honour at the State President's Banquet, Cape Town.
  • 1995 - 'Precious Circle' (Winning Posters), presented to all the members of the Springbok rugby team before their spectacular World Championship.
  • 1995 - Freedom Day Celebrations - Mr Tokyo Sexwale presents Pres. Mandela, at the Union Buildings, on International Television, with 'Rebirth".
  • 1998 - 2nd Princess, Mrs. South Africa.
  • 1998 - Chosen artist - 'Reach For the Stars"
  • 1998 - 40 International Ministers of Minerals and Energy each receive an Art Print of 'Rebirth', Cape Town.
  • 1999 - 'Rebirth' presented to Mikis Theodorakis.
  • 1999 - Curator: Marvol Manor Art Treasury.
  • 2000 - Selected: resident artist, Cite Internationale des Arts, Paris, France.
  • 2000 - Judge: Rooi Rose's 'Hostess of the Year'
  • 2001 - Included in the International Biographical Centre's 'Who's who In the 21st Century'.
  • 2002 - Included : International Biographical Centre's '2000 Intellectuals of the 21st Century'; '500 Founders of the 21st Century' and American Biographical Institute's 'Great Minds of the 21st Century'
  • 2002 - Selected : resident artist, Cité Internationale des Arts, Paris, France

    PUBLICATIONS/ARTICLES/PUBLIC SPEECHES:

  • 1990 - 'Precious Circle', Women's Group, Johannesburg.
  • 1991 - Ettlingen Schloss, Germany.
  • 1992 - 'A Crash Course in Optimism', Pretoria Woman's Club, Pretoria.
  • 1993 - 'Steps to Success', University of Pretoria.
  • 1993 - 'Precious Circle', Northern Transvaal Peace Committee.
  • 1994 - United Nations, New York (USA)
  • 1994 - 'Precious Circle', Dordt College, Iowa, (USA).
  • 1994 - 'Precious Circle', Ransom Everglades School, Miami, (USA)
  • 1995 - State President's Banquet, Cape Town.
  • 1999 - 'Precious Circle', Writers Forum, City Hall, Pretoria.
  • 2000 - 'Precious Circle', South African Post Office.
  • 2002 - 'Precious Circle', ABC Breakfast Club, Johannesburg.

    MEMBERSHIPS:

    Previous:

    General:

  • American International Women's Club
  • Goodwill Foundation (Trustee)
  • Positive Action Now (Steering Committee Member)
  • Ambassadors 100 Club
  • Pretoria Women's Club
  • Housewives League

    Art related:

  • Simon van der Stel Foundation
  • S.A. Arts Association (N.Tvl.) (Member of the Board)
  • North Coast Art Group
  • Friends of the Pretoria Art Museum (Member of the Board)
  • Watercolour Society of S.A.
  • Bellville Arts Association

    Current:

    General:

  • American International Womens Club
  • 'Affiebond' - ,Association for alumni of Afrikaans Hoër Meisieskool, Pretoria

    Art Related:

  • S.A.Arts Association (Gauteng) (Member of the Board)
  • Bellville Arts Association
  • Friends of the Pretoria Art Museum