With the emergence of e-mail, SMS, WhatsApp, and other methods of
immediate written communication, the wonderful art of letter writing and
posting a stamped, addressed envelope has all but ceased to exist
“Pushing the Envelope” celebrates the marriage of drawing and philately
in an innovative exhibition by Hermanus artist Terry Kobus
Letters once were precious possessions, tied in bundles with silk ribbon
and kept safe in a scented drawer. Many were kept for sentimental reasons. The
sheer beauty of the envelope with its stamps and hand written address is in
itself a wonder to behold
Terry has collected and deconstructed old envelopes, some dating from as
far back as 1905. He works in various styles and media and the studies on the envelopes
range from colorfully contemporary to delicately old fashioned, from whimsical to
poignant and sentimental. The stamp and address is often an integral aspect of
the envelope's design whether incorporated directly into the illustration or
used simply to accent the artist's theme
