Gerard Sekoto, a prominent figure within the art and music industry, played a crucial role in the cultural development of the country in the twentieth century. As the first black artist to have a picture acquired for a museum collection, his contributions to the art world were groundbreaking.
Born in 1913, Sekoto’s rural upbringing in the Lutheran Mission Station in Botshabelo, along with his experiences living in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Pretoria, deeply influenced his perspective, particularly in depicting the struggles faced by the impoverished black population.
Despite initially training as a school teacher, Sekoto embarked on a professional art career in 1938 as a self- taught artist. He left his rural orgins in northern South Africa and journeyed to Johannesburg, where he encountered a liberal and inclusive community. It was there he met Judith Gluckman, an artist who generously offered to teach him art of painting in oils. Sekoto quickly grasped these techniques and soon gained recognition with Johannesburg’s art circles.
Eager to explore the country further, he sold enough paintings to fund his travels and settled in District 6 in Cape Town in 1942, followed by a move to Eastwood in Pretoria in 1945. Unfortunately, the implementation of apartheid policies from 1948 onwards led to the destruction of vibrant urban areas like Sophiatown, District 6, and Eastwood. However, Sekoto’s paintings continue to serve as historical records, capturing the essence of these communities and the lives of the people who inhabited them.
In 1947, Sekoto made the decision to leave South Africa and embark on voluntary exile in Paris, believing it to be the epicenter of the international art world. Sadly, he would never return to the country that inspired his evocative and colourful depictions of cultural activities and racial tensions. Despite his absence, Sekoto’s position as one of South Africa’s most significant modernists and social realists has only been reinforced over the years.
In 1989, the Johannesburg Art Gallery held a retrospective exhibition of his work, solidifying his legacy. Additionally, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Witwatersrand, and his paintings are displayed at the South African National Gallery. Recent auctions in London and Johannesburg have seen his paintings fetch record-breaking prices, further highlighting his impact on the art world. Furthermore, the Gerard Sekoto Foundation has undertaken a mural-painting project, allowing apprentices to recreate Sekoto’s work and ensure its continued appreciation.
The Gerard Sekoto Foundation, in honour of the artist himself, plays an essential role in preserving South African history and empowering artists. The foundation’s mission is to support and nurture talented individuals in the arts, providing them with opportunities and resources to ensure their voices are heard and their work recognized. By actively engaging with communities through initiatives such as mural-painting projects, the foundation commemorates Sekoto’s legacy and raises awareness of South African art and history.
