Tretchikoff

In his own lifetime, Tretchikoff was the only artist who managed to achieve ubiquity amongst the popular masses. Quite simply, one could say he brought art to the people. Unbeknown to many, Tretchikoff was the first artist to make and sell reproductions of his work, making it affordable and accessible to all. At the time, art critics objected, saying he was devaluing and commercialising art. To which he responded, "Why should my art only be available to the rich and famous? I want everyone to enjoy my art."
This said, not only was he a great artist ahead of his time, he was an innovative marketer and successful business man too. Wayne Hemmingway once commented, "Tretchikoff achieved what Andy Warhol stated he wanted to but never could because of his coolness." So in an era when Warhol was just beginning to realise the commercial potential of a reproduced image, Tretchikoff successfully marketed his art prints around the world with 52 exhibitions attended by over 2 million people. Call it what you wish - urban sophisticate, retro kitsch, nostalgic resurrection - Tretchy is just at the beginning of coming into his own centre of gravity. Commercial and connoisseur, the most recent record sale of the 'Fruits of Bali' for R2.74 million would indicate that the art world has finally succumbed to Tretchy's talent as well. These then are just a few of the reasons why we at the Tretchikoff Foundation, feel it appropriate to introduce Tretchikoff to the next generation of art lovers.

I happened to see an exhibition of his work at the Cape Town national Gallery...and I was blown away.

Zulu Girl