The Influence of Political Struggle on Artists of Johannesburg
Throughout the years of Apartheid , and on through to the current times today, the artists of South Africa have evolved their own style, one that is steeped in passion and emotion. For years, black artists were not given access to fine art classes, but they continued to paint. To illustrate daily life as they saw it and experienced it. A contemporary of South African painter GerardSetko was John Koenakeefe Mohl . He founded the fine art school in Sophiatown , the first school that offered classes to the black artists and during the 1950′s many artists studied here, the subjects of their works the urbanization of South Africa, and the way that life was affected by the times.
Another school was opened in Johannesburg, but was in operation for just fourteen short years, the Polly Street Art Center. Up and coming artists received the impetus, the training and the support for the short time this school offered classes, artists such as LouisMaqhubela and Lucky Sibiya were students of this school. Their styles helped to develop a distinct and individual personality of art that is expressly South African in nature. Many of their works are found throughout the local businesses such as the coffee shops, market places and luxury hotels. Johannesburg artists began to focus on the sense of the political turmoil and the emotions evoked by the times, and moved away from the more realistic European styles.
Lacking the resources to create their art, mainly oil paints, many artists turned to sculpture, such as Ezrom Legae, and to pen drawings such as Dumile Feni. These artists created works that depicted the pain and suffering and the reality of life in South Africa at the time. Most of the pieces are incredible powerful and filled with the sensibilities and the experiences that were theirs alone, unique and South African. Many of the pieces are based in historical events, are narrative and illustrative in nature, and give voice to the struggles and achievements to the people of the country.
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