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BY BILLY SUTER
IF YOU were a regular fan of music and supper theatre in Durban in the ’80s and ’90s you are sure to recall Simon Pontin, a bassist who appeared in such shows as The Guitar That Rocked the World, Good Vibrations and The Piano Men. He also featured in popular bands including Urban Creep, Skin Trade and The Tim Wells Band.
So what became of the amiable musician? Well, it is good to report that he is alive and well, now 48, and has been living in Edinburgh in Scotland for the past decade, where he is making a living as a chef for event catering.
He is still dabbling in music – check out his two original albums, free, on the link below – and is also creating art these days, having attained a Higher Diploma in Fine Art: Painting from the then-Technikon Natal in Durban 1992.
It is his art that is highlighting Pontin again in Durban – he is visiting to present some of his paintings at an exhibition in Gillitts, where it will run concurrently with an exhibition of photographs by local DJ and photographer Manoj Budhu. The works will be on show from April 13 to 30 at The Old House Gallery, 19 Alexander Drive in Gillitts.
The Old House Gallery will be open from 10am until 6pm Monday to Friday. Private viewings can be arranged for serious buyers by special request.
Pontin says of his art: “My aim is to produce as much quality, experience-based artworks as possible.”
He adds: “ I loosely adhere to the principles of Transpersonal Art. I believe that art is, in its archetypal form, a means for man to transcend the obvious and the physical, manifesting the spiritual reality of the self.
“I believe that through the process of creating my work, and the materials and
meditation employed, a transmutation of substance occurs. This process is a spiritual journey, a process of cleansing and healing that even though mostly misunderstood by myself, leaves me with a sense of connection to the world around me, and a general feeling of well being.”
He describes his creative process as generally involving working on at least four to five artworks at one time, each piece evolving and interacting with
each other.
“Often smaller, individual pieces become incorporated into bigger pieces, resulting in multifacets of meaning and imagery. Some pieces evolve over many months, even years, the intentional ageing and deterioration of substances and materials manifesting the creative process over time.”
Of his original music, Pontin says :”My aim is to create music that is melodic and interesting, but at the same time, does not stick to any predetermined formula or style. For a full bio go to http://www.simonpontin.com.”
NOTE: Pontin’s two solo albums, produced in Edinburgh, are available by clicking here: http://www.reverbnation.com/sidetracksi
.....SoSuterBill..... 