Overview
This lecture introduces George Pemba, a pioneering South African artist whose works document black township life under Apartheid and challenge racial stereotypes in art.
George Pemba's Life and Career
- George Pemba was born in 1912 in Koster Village, near Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
- He showed early talent for art, encouraged by his supportive father.
- Pemba won a scholarship for post-primary education in 1924, a rare achievement for black South Africans during Apartheid.
- He participated in his first art exhibition at age 16 in 1928.
- After his father's death and a hospital stay, Pemba learned about European art styles from Professor Ethel Smythe.
- He trained as a teacher but struggled financially due to Apartheid restrictions, supplementing his income through other jobs and a family shop.
- In 1941, he attended a five-month art course at Rhodes University and studied under Maurice van Essche.
- Pemba was mentored by Gerard Sekoto, who encouraged him to switch from watercolour to oil painting and focus on everyday life as subject matter.
- He traveled around South Africa painting portraits and township scenes, despite Apartheid barriers.
- Pemba won several art competitions and also created satirical cartoons and wrote plays.
Artistic Style and Themes
- Pemba’s work blends Realism, Impressionism, and German Expressionism.
- Realism is seen in honest depictions of community life, Impressionism in capturing daily moments, and Expressionism in emotional storytelling.
- Subjects include portraits, landscapes, religious scenes, and commentary on political and social issues.
- Most of his work focuses on the township of New Brighton.
- His style evolved from soft watercolours to bold oils, using contrasting and complementary colours and sometimes impasto technique.
- Pemba used simplified forms and dramatic colour contrasts to enhance expression and emotion.
Notable Artworks
- "New Brighton Port Elizabeth 1977" portrays a vibrant, clean, and caring township community, countering Apartheid stereotypes; lacks infrastructure, hinting at economic exploitation and unemployment.
- "Terror 1991" depicts chaotic violence inflicted by Apartheid police, with expressionistic brushwork, subdued colours, and a focus on narrative over detail.
Recognition and Legacy
- He is internationally recognized, especially after the fall of Apartheid.
- Honours include exhibitions, a biography ("Against All Odds"), The Order of Ikhamanga, a documentary, and commemorative stamps.
- Pemba’s work is valued for its honest and inclusive portrayal of black South African life and the human condition.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Apartheid — A system of institutionalized racial segregation in South Africa from 1948–1994.
- Oeuvre — The complete works produced by an artist.
- German Expressionism — Art movement focusing on emotional experience over physical reality.
- Realism — Artistic style portraying subjects truthfully and without idealization.
- Impressionism — Art movement capturing fleeting effects of light and everyday scenes.
- Social Realism — Art movement highlighting social issues and the realities of everyday life.
- Impasto — Painting technique involving thick, textured paint application.
- Analogous Colours — Colours next to each other on the colour wheel, used for harmony.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Reflect on which aspect of George Pemba's story or artworks you find most inspiring and why.
- Prepare for the next art history lesson.