Peter Sibeko - Born 1940 in Orlando East, Soweto, South Africa

Mother and Baby

Township on Sand

Going To Work

About the Artist

Alhough largely self-taught, Peter Sibeko was inspired to draw and paint by the personages and work of fellow “township” artists Walter Sibeko (father), David Mbele and Soloman Sekhaolelo.  He was also taught by Godfrey Ndoba and Ben Macala in a manner of ‘joint assessment’ and critique as they all struggled to make and sell their work in the dark days of ‘the struggle’.

The broad term ‘Township Art’ covered artists’ work that depicted everyday scenes in the shanties and streets of the township.  People about their daily chores, cleaning, cooking and just chatting were captured on board and paper in crayon, charcoal and pastel – whatever came to hand.
 

Style & Format

Peter soon developed a talent for depicting people by outline - often on a background of sand glued to the paper or board matrix.  In this he was totally distinctive.  He adapted acrylic or oil painting to this technique to give an earthy texture to his works

Not content with drawing, painting and selling his own work, Peter started The Soweto Art Gallery and was a founder member of F.U.B.A (Federated Union of Black Artists) which was supported by sponsorship in its premises close to the Market Theatre in Johannesburg.

The Soweto Art Gallery had various venues over the years as it ‘cadged’ premises here and there in the township.  In many respects the most stock was held in portfolios which Peter and friends used to sell to galleries and market directly on the streets.  

In the early ‘70s the going price for a medium sized original works (30cm x 50cm) by Peter and his contemporaries was ± R10.00 (a good lunch could be had for R3.50 in those days).  The present price for surviving works from this period would be approximately R3500.00 – keeping in mind that that many of these artists have passed on (Hargraves Ntukwana, Ben Macala, Amos Machado and the incomparable Winston Saoli to mention a few).
 

Exhibitions

Over time and mostly due to Peter’s persistence, the scope for sales with collectors and through exhibitions has expanded.  Apart from galleries in South Africa, Peter also exhibited in England, U.S.A (Washington and New York), Australia and Mauritius.

Purchase township art by renowned South African artist Peter Sibeko online now by contacting Fine Art Portfolio on info@fineartportfolio.co.za or +27 (0)21 433 0908