Modern Masters IV, a selection of Modern works created by important South African artists prior to 2000, opens on Wednesday 15th June at EBONY/CURATED, Cape Town from 3 – 7pm.
EBONY/CURATED’s fourth Modern Masters exhibition, curated by Marc Stanes, features the following notable artists: Walter Battiss, Alexis Preller, Barbara Grace Burry, Peter Clarke, Ernst De Jongh, George Diederick During, Hannes Harrs, Jane Tully Heath, Dezso Koenig, Alfred Neville Lewis, Donald Madge, Leonard Matsoso, Nathaniel Mokgosi, Sam Nhlengethwa and Cecil Skotnes
Cecil Skotnes, Ten Landscapes Portfolio, Ed. 18 of 75, 1976, Colour Woodcut,48 x 63.5 cm
Highlights of the exhibition are two works by Walter Battiss namely ‘Nudes No 1′ (see above) and ‘Figure in Pink’. Battiss was born in Somerset East in 1906 and was a founding member of the ‘New Group’. A highly versatile and innovative artist, Battiss is regarded as one of South Africa’s foremost abstract artists and was unique in not having studied in Europe. Constantly re-inventing himself throughout his life, Battiss was the first South African artist to regard San painting as an important art form in its own right. In 1948 he ventured into the Namib Desert to live amongst the Bushmen to further understand this aesthetic. In 1949 Battiss met Pablo Picasso and Gino Severini in Italy and his friendship with Picasso continued, often meeting at the artist’s studio in Paris in the 1950s. Throughput his career he used his art, wit, humour and satire to force the viewer to take note of the damaging government policies of the time. Battiss became the father of conceptual and performance art practice in South Africa as he grew older. Much exhibited and published locally and internationally during his lifetime, Battiss was awarded the Medal of Honour of South African Akademie and was elected an Honorary Member of the Academy of Florence.
Another notable work in Modern Masters IV is ‘Archangel’ by Alexis Preller, which the artist considered his most important painting from his final solo exhibition in 1975 held shortly before he died. This unusually monochromatic work featuring a god-like mythological, disembodied head is reminiscent of the Yoruba Ibeji figures from Nigeria, with which Preller was familiar.
This exhibition will be available to view in person and on Artsy. Please click here to request a catalogue via email.
WHAT: Modern Masters IV
WHERE: EBONY CAPE TOWN | 67 Loop Street, Cape Town 8001
WHEN: Opening 3 – 7pm, 1 5 June – until 30th July 2022
INFO: Tel: +27 (0)21 424 9985 | E info@ebonycurated.com | Visit
LEAD PHOTO: Walter Battiss, Nudes (Number 1), Oil on Canvas, 45 x 60 cm
The WHAT, WHY & WHERE of the
arts scene in around Cape Town
see the 2022 arts + crafts map
and listen in to the Sanlam
Arts Round-Up Fridays @16:10
on Fine Music Radio FMR 101.3fm
