implicit art

Last night, Andrew Meintjes was added to the list of great South African artists - who not only produce work, but support the arts, and are giving within the community at large - that have been killed for next to nothing. Like Gito Baloi, who was only a few months ago slain for the pocket cash in his wallet after playing a gig, Andrew was shot (several times) in his own studio.

His killers only left with a cell phone.

Friends, family, artists, and art appreciators will mourn the loss of a giving, caring, committed, excited and excitable man for months, years, to come. It’s with a great sadness that I’m beginning to recognize how often this happens in South Africa, that I see now how the atrocities I claim newspapers over-inflate, are perhaps more real than we’d all like to admit.

Andrew gave me many gifts in the time I got to know him. I’ve no doubt that a lot of people can say the same.

It’s Boffee! For real!

Boffee was an old joke some ITP buddies and I made up when in grad school - because of our sleepless nights and desire to socialize, we wanted caffeinated beer.

Looks like we got our wish.