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Summary Visual Art Final exam - CAPS 2020 - Example essays
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Theme 1 - emerging South African Artists and international influences affecting themGeorge Pemba – Harvesters (1976, oil)
Shows a group of traditional African ladies harvesting the corps. This gives us a sense of serenity as the painting
portrays a snapshot of the everyday lives of these ladies. Influences of this include realism, showing the plight of the
poor in townships in a naturalist manner as well as impressionism through the strong light sources and moments of
daily life. This painting can be compared to The Gleaners by Millet in the Realism movement. The gleaners are
however trapped under the horizon line showing oppression whereas the harvesters are freely standing above the
horizon line showing a sense of freedom. Although both have the same subject matters, the brighter colours of the
harvesters show a youthfulness and joy in what they are doing as it just depicts their daily life in contrast to the
muted colours of the gleaners showing there oppressive life. Pemba’s classical training shown through his
understanding of the law of thirds and composition of his subject matter.
George Pemba – Terror (1991)
This artwork shows people frantically trying to escape the 2 gunmen at the back of a train compartment. They are
running towards the viewer so we can see their terrified expressions, black people are being shot by white
policemen while they are helpless and unarmed. As shown during the realism period, the period to which this
artwork is influenced by, it focuses more on the circumstances and lives of the subject matter rather than detail as
seen in Terror with its simplified forms, shows storytelling rather than technical ability. The colours are dark adding
to the somber mood of the painting. The dramatic light through the windows creates a focus on the people.
Movement is created through the repetition of the people. The style of this painting is shown in the subjective
colours used and the distortion of the forms in their dramatic poses. By enclosing all the figures into what would be
considered the horizon line, being entrapped inside the train creates a sense of unity by bringing all the figures
together but at the same time showing the entrapment linking to the oppressive nature of these individuals during
their time. This linking to the realism movement showing their social circumstance through the painting by
confronting the viewer about the brutal consequences of apartheid system on the lives of blacks, drawing attention
to this injustice. This painting can be compared to “The Third of May” by Goya, with similar subject matters and
showing the innocence of those victims to oppression.
Gerard Sekoto – song of the pick (oil, 1946)
This painting shows a white man, “boss”, standing with his hands in his pockets smoking while the black men dig in
rhythmic union while singing a song to pass time while they are essentially being enslaved during the 1940s. a song
refers to something that is usually joyous, the singing this song shows a sense of unity in the figures. Strong diagonal
lines in the people create perspective as they disappear behind each other with their picks raised together also
creating a sense of unity as they throw the picks down in unison. The images are simplified as the emotions of this
painting is more important than details. Colours are the only thing that separates the individuals in repetition. The
dynamic composition shows the backs of the subject matter towards the viewer, this creating strong diagonals that
lead the eye by their legs, these balancing out the heavy picks. The picks look as if they are about to go onto the
“boss” this showing their internal fight against the oppressive nature that they were subjects to, although the are
supposed to submissive to the white man they tower over him in a large number, showing their strength against
colonisation. This painting shows social realism during a colonisation period, showing the men’s day-to-day lives and
a subtle criticism to oppression. The workers faces are not shown, taking away their identity and linking to the
dehumanisation of the individuals during this period. This artwork can also be compared to The Stonebreakers by
Courbet during the realism era, both show similar subjects matter and depict social circumstance.
, Theme 2 – influence of indigenous African art on European art
Irma Stern – The Hunt (1926)
This painting shows a group of hunters preparing for a hunt, naked and wearing loin cloths. These primitive figures
are stylized and show dogs hunting in the foreground. The figured are stylized to exaggerate the ideal “noble savage”
where they don’t consider a social status. The subject matter itself is that of African origin. The feeling od depth is
distorted as there is very little difference between back and foreground. The figures are relaxed and posed. Strokes
are loosely applied giving texture marks in the painting. The non-representative, juxtaposing colours, are influenced
by the fauvists creating a sense of excitement. The stylized figures portray a message rather than detail, this is
influenced through Egyptian art seen in the side profiles and bodies facing forward. The simplified shapes and
stylized figures are similar to those of Picasso, being influenced by African rock art as well as the geometric
expressions of African masks.
Walter Battiss – Fishermen drawing nets (1955, oil)
This shows bushmen and gatherers taking in fishing nets from boats, the fish nets are full, and the viewer is seeing
them from a distance. Distorted perspective is created through diagonal lines creating a rocking feeling mimicking
the water. Darkness of the figures contrasts the loose brushstrokes in the background that creates the movement
giving a 3D feeling supported by the overlapping figures. The strong diagonals create a busy feeling showing the
liveliness and movement of the individuals. The bright yellow and oranges contrast the blue allowing the yellow
boats to stand out. Due to the figures all being the same size, the background and foreground blend, not showing
traditional perspective but adds to the busyness of the painting. The simplified silhouettes that are distorted are
influenced by San rock art, the lurid and non-naturalistic colours are that of the fauvists and the sharp geometric
shapes in the boats are clearly influenced by Cubism and individuals like Cézanne.
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