Art

Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg’s interest in and passion for art was stimulated in her youth by her parents Dr. Anton and Ms Huberte Rupert. Enthusiastic supporters of various disciplines of the arts in South Africa, including fine and performing arts, music and literature, they established the Rupert Art Foundation and the Rembrandt van Rijn Art Foundation in 1964 – important milestones in the advancement and preservation of art in South Africa.

Hanneli’s interest in South African artist J.H. Pierneef was kindled by a gift of 128 limited edition linocut prints (set 8/8), printed posthuman from the original blocks, in 1960, by South African artist Zakkie Ellof. Inspired to preserve Pierneef’s heritage, in 2009, she acquired 42 works from the Pierneef family heritage collection owned by Pierneef’s daughter Marita Bailey. This precious collection is permanently exhibited in the La Motte Museum, initiated and overseen by Hanneli, as an important asset to the preservation of South African art and history. In addition, annually rotating exhibitions featuring private and public collections of modern and contemporary works by South African artists are presented.

Hanneli has also been directly involved in commissioning South African sculptors Theo Megaw, Toby Megaw and Strijdom van der Merwe to produce a number of sculptures for display on La Motte wine estate. These works, including the iconic Wine Bearer at the entrance to the estate, can be viewed along a weekly guided or recently introduced, virtual, Sculpture Walk.

Since 2003 Hanneli has acted as trustee of the Helgaard Steyn Trust, established in 1985, in support and acknowledgement of Afrikaans culture through the annual presentation of prestigious financial awards recognising excellence in Composing, Painting, Afrikaans Literature and Sculpting.

In 2005, Hanneli and her mother, Huberte, collaborated in establishing the Rupert Museum in Stellenbosch. In this impressive facility the predominant mediums on display are paintings, sculptures and tapestries. The Museum houses 350 works of art, regarded as the premier collection of contemporary South African art from the period 1940 to 1970.