Township Art South Africa
Township art depicts the fragile system of the struggle for existence and the hope of survival in many of South Africa’s informal settlements. The combination of rough and raw materials like wood, plastic, metal, tin and paint work together in creating, often in a mixed media artwork and even sometimes in 3-D, a unique and intriguing interpretation of a day in the life of the townships. Bright colours bring hope to the hopeful, structures build strength for the weak. The juxtaposition of both dream and reality is clearly visible in these works.
Popular township art by South African artists include Frank Ross, Katherine Ambrose, Mauro Chiarla and Lazarus Ramontseng, amongst others, and can be purchased directly from our online art gallery
Uniquely South African Township Art
One of the major attractions of township art is that it is an exclusive South African art genre. In inimitable South African style, the harsh reality of life in the dusty townships is recorded in bright, happy colours and a jumble of homes and humanity.
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Nowhere else in the world and at no other time in history has human adversity been transformed into a distinctive and appealing body of work that is constantly in demand throughout the world!
The innovative use of mixed media, which can vary from day-to-day materials that are often simply discarded – cardboard, tin, fabric, wire – is a timely reminder of how the first inspired township artists crafted priceless works of art with virtually no traditional materials. Township art was, and is, a testimony of the artistic endurance of men and women who have had the fortitude to overcome personal hardship and inequality.
Why Buy Township Paintings?
Apart from their wonderful aesthetic appeal, township paintings are a significant historical record of a constantly evolving way of life. Many of the original artworks by the early township artists – Gerard Sekoto, George Pemba and Dumile Feni – depict township life in the mid 20th century, a way of life that no longer exists. Original artworks by these Masters are highly valued and currently command record prices at auction houses all over the world.
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Contemporary township artists continue to blaze the trail of this exclusive art genre and their outstanding art works can be viewed right here at the Fine Art Portfolio.
Frank Ross, one of the most exciting practitioners of township paintings in South Africa today, recently had an opening night sell-out exhibition in Switzerland, while works by Katherine Ambrose, Lazarus Ramontseng and Mauro Chiarla have been exhibited all over the world and can be found in a host of private and corporate collections!
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