The Gallery at Grande Provence is privileged to present an exhibition by the renowned artist, Paul Boulitreau. The title of the exhibition, 'The Mute Opera', is derived from the Italian name 'Opera' which means 'total work' and the silence of the studio. A selection of new and older works – paintings, sculpture and graphic works, that were made in South Africa in the last 5 years, will be presented.

This body of work meaningfully references to the paradox between childhood memories and the cruelty or violence of everyday life. The viewer is confronted with different ways of interpreting the images: a playful, almost musical expression of colours and seemingly dancing and floating surrealistic creatures, or a violent, adult fantasy situation. The work represents the longing for a forgotten childhood that can never be revisited. This confrontation evokes a murmur that turns into a silent desperate shout.

The 'Mute Opera' at Grande Provence is the first of a series of three exhibitions that will travel to the Gallery's of the North West University in Potchefstroom and the University of Johannesburg. The subsequent shows will include works by prominent artists who have worked in collaboration with Paul over the past five years in South Africa, and will be themed 'Roommates –The Mute Opera'.

The sculptures of Michaella Janse van Vuuren, explores the regions between Art and Science. She completed her formative school years at the Pretoria School of Art, Music and Ballet. After school her included interest in science led her to obtain a PhD in Electrical Engineering in 2004. Since then Michaella has been exploring ways to combine her artistic and technical interests. The controversial new technology of 3-D printing, or additive manufacturing, proved the ideal tool to produce her digitally designed sculptures.

Through her use of fascinating new technology, she exposes the endless possibilities of a new medium to the art world. Michaella raises questions regarding to the impact of these new technologies referring to mass customisation and automated algorithms.

Franschhoek Literary Festival Special Exhibition: featuring – Kai Lossgott, Sarel Petrus, Craig Muller and Loni Dräger.

Literature meets contemporary art in May at Grande Provence during the Franschhoek Literary Festival.Poet and contemporary artist Kai Lossgott will be launching his intimate collection of poems – 'talking to the tree outside the window while I sleep' – during the festival, concurrent with his exhibition in the 'Project Room' at the gallery.

In a fragile yet powerful statement, the artist has made minute incisions, punctures and impressions into the tissue of plant leaves to form textsand imageswhich are only visible against the light. Displayed in lightboxes, the perforations sparkle. One of his texts make reference to "the inheritance of light". Another reads, "for every branch in a tree / there are a million ungrown branches", Hinting at the potential rediscovery of missing connections.

The book, which showcases a careful selection of three years' work, is praised for its intimate evocation of the personal element in green politics.

Lossgott's work embodies a global shift in identity to value all living things. He refers to a symmetrie between plant and human 'skin', branches and capillaries containing blood or sap.

He quotes, "It scars, it heals. It remembers."

The following artists are also included in the exhibition: Sarel Petrus - sculptures, Craig Muller – sculptures, and Loni Dräger with an installation themed 'Skins'. Loni will also be showcasing a selection of 'stone succulents' in the Courtyard.