South Africa is known as the Rainbow Nation and Outa Lappies is definitely one of the bright colours in our national colidoscope. Karoo artist, Karoo personality, Karoo philosopher, all these are true of Outa Lappies. Outa spent his long life exploring and deeply experiencing his surroundings, encouraging people to discover what was really important in life and creating art from odds and ends and basically other peoples garbage.
Outa Lappies (Jan Schoeman), the karoo philosopher-artist whose father taught him to ‘make something out of nothing’ if he wanted to get anywhere in this world, made himself a home at Prince Albert, at the little house at the station on the N1. His father also taught him that actions speak louder than words and so he encouraged people to discover what was really important in life and creating art from odds and ends others had thrown away. He made his mark on the South African art scene with his embroidered ‘lappies’ which ultimately earned him his name. Another reason for his being called Outa Lappies is that he wears clothes stitched together from “lappies” – colourful patchwork decorated with woollen embroidery. For the Millennium, Tannie Louisa Jooste, who lives in Noordend stitched a special patchwork and hessian suit for him, complete with 2000 embroidered here and there.
His ‘karretjies’, his ‘light house’ lanterns and more recently, the hands he made from recycled tin and glass all became hallmarks distinguishing him as one of South Africa’s truly unique indigenous artists.
Jan Schoeman has become a Karoo legend. He will always be known as Outa Lappies – the patchwork philosopher, “green peace activist” and artist of the Karoo who lived at the Prince Albert Road Station – encouraging the local children to plant sunflower seeds and “make something outa nothing.” His art work can be bought in Prince Albert at The Lazy Lizard, Bric-a-Brac Browserie and from Bodo Toelstede +27 (0)23 5411 330.
Outa Lappies (Jan Schoeman), died on 7 July 2011.
The Prince Albert Cultural Foundation plans to create a museum at Outa Lappies’ last home, the little house at the station on the N1, recording his life and work. Donations may be sent to the PA Educational & Heritage Trust, Account number 9079310467, at ABSA Prince Albert branch code 334-708. Kindly use the reference OUTA.
Picture courtesy of Reinwald Dedekind
Feature picture courtesy of Gudrun Toelstede
To get more information go to Cape Info
For further reading : Hunger Season; Homeless Talk; Green It Web; The South Africa Guide; Ally Celebrity Biographies
