GREGOIRE (JOHANNES BOONZAAIER - 1909-2005

GREGOIRE BOONZAIER was born on 31 July 1909 in Cape Town. He is one of six children of the well known cartoonist,       DC Boonzaier (1865-1950). Born into an artistic family, Gregoire began drawing at age six and it was around this time that he met Pieter Wenning and Anton van Wouw, artist who were regular guests of his parents.

He got his first taste of painting when artist friend, Moses Kottler bought him his first paint set.

Gregoire Boonzaier possesses a wonderful sense of humour and an innate charm. He is well schooled in a number of subjects especially art, literature, music and philosophy. He is also a conosuier of fine food and wine and a pretty handy cook himself.

He is highly disciplined and this has allowed him to continue working constantly for nearly 80 years now. Although Gregoire prefers working with oil paint, he also enjoys working with pen and ink, water colours, pastels, linocut and conte.

Gregoire passed away on 22 April 2005.