Early South African Art Flashcards
Polly Street and Rorke's Drift
1
Q
Polly Street 6 Facts
A
- Influencial Urban art centre
- Founded by Cecil Skotnes
- Started in 1949, prominennt in 1950’s [APARTHEID]
- In Johannesburg (1940-1970) was started by a ‘liberal’ white Johannesburg City Council to provide a recreation facility for black men in the evenings after work
- Dominated by male artists
- Polly Street attempted a romantic
re-connection to Africa within urban context
2
Q
Rorke’s Drift: 6 facts
A
- Rural
- Peder and Ulla Gowenius
- Started 1963, prominent in 60’s
- In Kwa-zulu Natal, funded and supported by the Swedish Lutheran Mission in South Africa
- Women played important role
- Then Rorke’s Drift was in Africa
3
Q
Why was Polly Street Unique?
A
Racial segregation governed much of South African life
4
Q
What did the Black men in Polly Street navigate?
A
navigated complex themes of identity, heritage, and belonging
5
Q
How did Polly Street romanticise reconnection to African roots?
A
by drawing inspiration from indigenous aesthetics and themes
6
Q
Who were the Swedish Lutherian Mission
A
religious organization that supported community development and empowerment efforts in South Africa
7
Q
What did the women in Rorke’s Drift contribute to
A
Textile and printing workshops
8
Q
How did Rorke’s Drift represent connection to African roots?
A
Bleding tradition African and contemporary elements
