Hamilton Gallery: When Rain Becomes Art

Rain has a way of shifting our perspective. It softens the edges of the city, blurs the rush of movement, and invites us to pause—sometimes reluctantly, sometimes with quiet wonder. Whether it falls as a steady curtain, a gentle mist, or a sudden downpour, rain has long been a muse for artists, offering a lens through which to capture both the drama and poetry of everyday life.

A few of the artworks on display at Hamilton Gallery form part of the ‘Elements’ show, depicting or referring to rain. Cape Town has been teasing us with some intermittent sunny weather, but the predominant forecast has been ‘partly cloudy’ (the title of one of Dave Robertson’s available prints), or ‘65% rain’ with even a weather warning or two. With fires raging across Europe, mews of unprecedented heatwaves, and our not-too-distant memories of the drought we experienced in the Cape and further afield, the rain we are experiencing is relatively mild, and although we tend to complain, it is much needed and ultimately appreciated.

Dave Robertson created a rain-centred series of photographic prints, capturing street scenes including figures and settings affected by falling rain. He shows people moving and interacting in response to the rain, and allows the streaks, drips and splatters to be a focal point of his images. Be inspired with the Hamilton Gallery.

Searle Street no.1, Dave Robertson

In his ‘Searle Street no.1’, a man walks with a blue umbrella, his body distorted by the water – resulting in an abstracted form in a dreamlike landscape. The presence of the rain, the cold tones and the black figure in motion remind us of the jolting and invigorating rush when rushing towards shelter in cold, wet weather. This image takes you into the experience of the person moving through the wet streets of Cape Town.

Main Road no.1, Sea Point, Dave Robertson

Dave’s image titled, ‘Main Road No.1, Sea Point’ is also taken through a moving car window with rain drops obscuring the scene. Two people walk determinedly towards a dry destination, framed by a Mondrian style backdrop of large square grids. One can again feel the chill, imagine the sound of water being sprayed up from fast turning wheels of passing traffic and the rush of activity that heavy rain can propel into motion.

‘Partly Cloudy no. 1’, is a fun, brightly coloured portrayal of shapes that remind one of clouds, with ovals and dots interspersed. These could be read as rain drops, or reflection of clouds in a body of water – there are hints of rocks, ripples, water and blue sky. The work has a playful and bold composition, perfect as a central piece in a wall collage.

Partly Cloudy no. 1, Dave Robertson

Marion Fuch’s painting, ‘Rain Dance’, is another lighthearted look at rain in the life of people. These figures jump for joy in a celebration of rain falling on the crops and fields in the distance. It shows humour and exuberance, with an array of beautiful tones and a striking composition. This scene would cheer one up on any given rainy, grey or miserable day.

Katherine Hamilton’s ‘Rain No.1’, is an abstracted photograph depicting rain, sea, rocks and sky with a soft and serene feel. The blurred effect suggests the sideways motion of the settling wave meeting the diagonally falling rain, balanced by the horizontal line of the horizon, having an almost hypnotic effect.

Rain no.1, Katherine Hamilton

The various works involving rain as a reference, are each attractive for different reasons, all aesthetically interesting, all a reminder of the sight, sound, feel and rejuvenating presence of Rain.