“Die portrette is knap gedaan. Fisiese eienskappe is op ekspressionistiese wyse raak daargestel: uitmuntend veral die portrette van Frans Claerhout en Sophia Luckhoff”.

“Priest-artist Frans Claerhout is shown as at once searching, reaching out and forthright, down-to-earth – a considerable achievement in portraiture”.

“Seen as a work of art, it is an acquisition which unquestionably enhances our collection, and as a portrait sculpture of the person we wished to honour, the consensus is that you have achieved a quite remarkable likeness.”

“Apparently the resemblance is incredible – perhaps even slightly frightening – to quote one of Mr. Jonah’s other brothers, and he keeps expressing amazement that you were able to create so lifelike a portrait (of his father) from an old photograph and his brother’s image”.

‘…….he is South Africa’s pre-eminent portrait sculptor….”

On Mike completing his portrait in Rome “Ah you are the maestro!”