History of Art in South Africa

South Africa has been defined by a number of distinct periods – colonialism, identification of self as African,  apartheid, with its associated sanctions and later democracy and the strong  emergence of black artists; all of which have had a marked impact on the  development of art in South Africa.

By its very nature, South Africa  has a characteristic blend of art styles, genres and media which continue to grow and evolve with freedom. South African artists of all colours and creeds  are collaborating and sharing both style and knowledge, creating a constant ebb  and flow of uniquely South African art.

Reportage Art

The colonial period was dominated by the  ‘reportage art’ of the likes of Thomas Baines, who simply recorded the  landscape and its inhabitants for the colonial fathers in the style of realism.  Today, South African artists including David Bucklow, Michael Tancrel and  Sharon Tancrel continue to produce remarkably lifelike replicas of their chosen  subjects in the photo-realistic style. There is a wide selection of landscapes,  seascapes, portraits and wildlife art available at South African Galleries  which fit comfortably within this genre.

African Identity

At the end of the nineteenth century there  was a concerted move by South African artists to identify and create an art  form typical to South Africa instead of merely emulating European art forms and  genres. Although still considered realists, Hugo Naude and Jan Volschenk were  some of the first South African Masters to embrace the subject instead of  simply observing and recording it. Today, Mauro Chiarla, Errol Norbury, Gerrit  Roon and Eugene Hurter, with their alluring land and seascapes, are amongst the  contemporary equivalents.

European  influences

This era of realism was closely followed by  a dedicated period of growth with strong post-impressionist, expressionist and  modernist influences from Europe. Arguably one of South Africa’s greatest  painters, JH Pierneef, revolutionised South African art with his wonderful  geometric style, whilst Irma Stern and Maggie Loubscher caused quite a stir  with their bold expressionism and subjective view of life.

Contemporary South African artists who have embraced an emotional, more subjective and modernist style in their work  include Mauro Chiarla, Katherine Wood, Willie Strydom, Benjamin Mitchley and  Anthony Gadd.

The effect of symbolism

Several South African artists, including  Walter Batiss and, more recently, Robert Slingsby, have had a fascination with  the symbolism and abstraction of the art of the indigenous people, including  the earliest art form, rock art. Today, abstract art is popular with both the artist and the South African art collector with Yoka Wright, Candice Dawn B.,  Margot Hattingh, Benjamin Mitchley  and Billy Molokeng creating exceptional works.

Emergence of black artists

During the apartheid era black artists were  intentionally denied a platform but this racial restrictiveness had a  remarkable outcome. Black artists formed their own distinctive style using bold  colours and mixed media, a style which is very visible and popular today,  particularly in Township Art. Well known and collected artists celebrating this unique and vibrant genre of art include Frank Ross, Katherine Ambrose and  Wallace Hulley.

To buy South African art, in any of its  guises, it’s recommended to either call in at our South African art galleries  personally or peruse our collection of artists and artworks online via our  website. You can submit your online enquiry directly from the page of the  artwork that interests you and we will then respond with all relevant  information. We also offer worldwide packaging and transportation – so wherever  you are located, you can still purchase your own unique and original South  African artwork.