The Platform Gallery

Situated in the picturesque KZN Midlands, The Platform Gallery – aptly named after its location in the old Lion’s River railway station along the R103 – is a treasure trove of South African art.

This includes various works such as drawings, paintings and sculptures from several well-known local artists, which cover a variety of subject matters, from wildlife to abstract works.

One such prominent artist at the gallery is John Rogers.

The self-taught painter hails from the area and started his artistic career more than 30 years ago when he started experimenting with watercolour.

From there, Rogers worked in different mediums, eventually developing a unique technique he calls “Alterism”.

“For this, he paints thick layers of paint with a palette knife and then, while the paint is still wet, slashes through it creating an abstract realist painting,” explains Platform Gallery of the artist’s method.

“This process is described by the artist as ‘Destructive Enhancement’ (or Alterism). The paintings he produces using this technique are a vibrant oversaturated kaleidoscope with enthusiastic energy and movement.”

“John finds this form of free expression exciting as he says he never is quite sure of the outcome and the contrast of the slashing creates intricate abstractions within the entire piece.”

The vibrant landscape paintings, including Wild Kamberg and Home, beautifully illustrate the artist’s mastering of colour and movement in his work.

Of Wild Kamberg, Rogers’s first painting using his innovative technique, he says: “This was the first painting I did with my new style after coming back from the Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam. So effectively it was the father of my new inspiration and joy….”