The tradition of black artists in South Africa has, until recently, been neglected. In the last ten years a new art history has developed from a growing awareness of the omissions of the past. At the forefront of this re-assessment is the work of Gerard Sekoto, a crucial figure in the understanding of modern African art. Born at a Lutheran mission station in the Transvaal, Sekoto produced vibrant, powerful, evocative paintings of the inhabitants and events in the townships. In 1947 he made the momentous decision to leave the country of his birth and travel to Paris, and like so many voluntary and involuntary exiles, he was never to return to South Africa. France brought new inspiration and Sekoto re-worked many sujects and explored different themes characterized by a deep sense of humanity. Towards the end of his life, Sekoto's work increasingly gained recognition. Barbar Linop's research brought to light paintings thought to have been lost, and through her correspondence with Sekoto, she was able to confirm details of his life before he died in 1993. -- amazon.com
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