Sheila Jarzin Levinson a bubbling, energetic artist whose art talks about the personal as it does about the universal
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
When I received an invitation to attend the opening of an exhibition in Saxonwold this past Sunday, I was rather surprised. A gallery in Saxonwold? I am very much familiar with that suburb as it is in that my son went to school, from Grade 0 to Grade 7. And therefore, its streets are familiar to me, and I have never seen something akin to a gallery for all these years. But, here I was invited to an exhibition right there in that suburb. More surprises were in store.
As I arrived at the place, 15 Abbotswold Road, moving intentionally slowly into the reception room, my attention was drawn to abstract art works meticulously hung in this room of this massive property. These are beautiful art works, I thought as I moved on through the corridor leading me to the main exhibition room, where again my attention was drawn to works hung on its walls. All abstract creations, and I started wondering how the creator would look like, especially because I had known through the press release that I had received with the invitation that the artist was 88 years old. That is the one thing that actually made me to honour this invitation on a Sunday afternoon when most people take it easy. After all, it is not an everyday experience that one hears of an artist practising at 88. She must be special. I therefore logically expected to meet a frail 88 year-old gogo on a wheel chair. I was so wrong.
Instead, I was introduced to a bubbling, energetic and talkative gogo artist whose energy would shame a 40 year old.
Sheila Jarzin Levinson is a rare artist on the South African visual art scene. Besides actively producing a stunning body of work on exhibit at this exhibition titled, she simply has so much energy and aura around her, so much that in a room, she draws all the attention to herself.
Her body of work is as bold and loud as the artist’s aura. However, like all abstract creations, this body of work is open to interpretation. When after art historian and author had made his opening remarks, situating Leveson’s practice within a specific art domain in art history, the audience was given an opportunity to engage with the artist. Either asking a question or commenting.
I personally was struck by two art works, hung next to each other. At face value, these artworks seem not to have that much character or meaning. However, when I went back there for the third time, a new picture full of character miraculously started to emerge slowly. On each art work, I suddenly noticed two figures –beautiful women in their birth suits. This is not nudity, but something more powerful, profoundly tasteful. This is the kind of art that one would proudly display in their livi8ng room. I was taken by these two images as I connected with them in a profound way.
The reality though, especially when viewed in its totality, this exhibiti9on has the artist’s life weaved neatly into it. It is almost like a memoir tracing her life’s footprint.
The artist alluded to this when she reluctantly had to explain the meaning of some of the paintings, in answer to a question from a curious audience member.
“I prefer that a viewer formulates their own interpretation as the nature of abstract art is such that it is open to multiple interpretation,” she said.
Sheila however, pointed out that some of the works on the walls are a depiction of her life and those that have shared a life with her, including a late husband and a boyfriend that she subsequently shared her life with after the death of her husband. She loved them both, she said.
And so, the exhibition shows beauty alongside sadness and betrayal, just like one experiences in their life. In fact this way, this exhibition is authentic, telling life as experienced by an 88 year old gogo, who happens to be talented to tell her story through the medium of art.
However, as much as this exhibition is mainly about an 88 year old gogo’s personal life, it has a powerful universal appeal, enabling viewers to see their lives through it.
About The Exhibition
The artist’s solo exhibition opened this past Sunday, 31st of May 2026 in Saxonwold, Johannesburg, in the beautiful GAYA art gallery and healing habitat.
The exhibition opened in a special way with an engaging = art dialogue as a preview of the collection acilitated by acclaimed art critic, editor and author, Dr.Ashraf Jamal who was n conversation with the artist about her distinct style and the collection.
During the opening proceedings, there was an artist-led walk-through of the exhibition conducted by Sheila Jarzin Levinson for collectors and attendees. All were welcomed warmly by the artist.
Sheila Jarzin Levinson – Producing Art Beyond Ageism
Essentially, the respected abstract artist is a lively and wonderful observer of human emotion, life and joy which she captures on her canvases. Levinson has been painting for over 50 years and is an iconic expressionist and voice in cont door art South African art and creative culture.
“This special collection of paintings reflect a life dedicated to art, healing and humanity. We invite art lovers and collectors to join us in celebrating the artist, her journey, and magnificent paintings,” the curator states.
Event bookings are essential because of demand. Enquiries can be directed to us via email:
June 16 Youth Day cultural event: Celerbratiing voice and visibility through art
GAYA art gallery presents a special Youth Day intergenerational cultural celebration and poetry slam for artists, poets and audiences who enjoy the place where literature and visual art meet to celebrate our history through the power of the creative voice.
Exhibiting artist Sheila Jarzin Levinson will share readings from the poetry collection of Dr.Bernard Levinson with whom she had a life-long creative collaboration, and his poems accompany key works in her paintings solo in her current solo exhibition.
The audience is invited to attend at 12h00 midday. Interested poets, writers and artists across the city are encouraged to email to Gaya Habitat for Art & Healing at: artsavantafrica@outlook.com
Gaya Art Gallery & Habitat for Healing – 15 Abbotswold Road, Saxonwold, Johannesburg .
Gaya Art Gallery & Habitat for Healing – 15 Abbotswold Road, Saxonwold, Johannesburg.