Emerging artists of South Africa - George Pemba Flashcards
In what year was George Pemba born?
1912
In what year did George Pemba die?
2001
Where was George Pemba born?
In a small rural village near Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape.
Where did George Pemba receive his school education?
Paterson in the Eastern Cape followed by Loved Teacher’s College in Alice in the Eastern Cape.
What type of artist was George Pemba?
He is a self-trained artist having only brief contacts with formal art training.
What were George Pemba’s most important influences?
Realism, Expressionism and Impressionism.
How does George Pemba portray realism in his artworks?
He portrays the poor people in the townships in a naturalistic way.
What does impressionism capture?
The fleeting moment.
How does George Pemba portray expressionism in his artworks?
Through his subjective use of colour and distortion in some works.
What media did George Pemba prefer?
Watercolours and oil paintings.
What was the most common subject matter of George Pemba’s works?
Portraits and group portraits mainly with a few landscapes thrown in.
What themes did George Pemba focus on?
Social documentation, religious works and protest works but his main theme was MAN.
Which stylistic characteristics can be seen in George Pemba’s work?
Shape with solid weight; descriptive expressionistic distortion; subtle descriptive watercolours in early works; bold colour contrasts in later works.
What colours did George Pemba like to use?
Sharp contrasts between light and dark; primary and secondary colours together with white areas are characteristic of his work.
What underlying themes can be found in George Pemba’s artworks?
Fear, joy, flight, loss, everyday life, cultural traditions, human rights, religion and political subjects.
What view does George Pemba’s work give of South Africa?
The change from traditional, rural, tribal life to urbanisation as well as political injustices.
What feeling does one get from George Pemba’s body of work?
One gets a feeling of togetherness between people - a society that stands together despite their suffering.
When did George Pemba paint “Portrait of a young Xhosa woman”?
1946
Describe the subject of “Portrait of a young Xhosa woman”.
A young Xhosa woman in traditional dress. She tilts her head and looks past the viewer.
What style of work did George Pemba use in “Portrait of a young Xhosa woman”?
Naturalism.
What medium and technique is used in “Portrait of a young Xhosa woman”?
Watercolours with smooth blending of the colours to create the different shapes and tonal values.
How does George Pemba treat the woman in “Portrait of a young Xhosa woman”?
He treats the woman with dignity and one can see she is proud of her heritage.
What psychological insight does “Portrait of a young Xhosa woman” provide?
An understanding of the personality of the woman - she was a real person who mattered.
What is George Pemba’s objective with “Portrait of a young Xhosa woman”?
“My objective is to interpret the feeling of my people.”
What is documented in “Portrait of a young Xhosa woman”?
The traditional and rural life of the Xhosa people.
What is the focal point of “Portrait of a young Xhosa woman”?
The woman forms the focal point of the painting. Her bare arm leads the viewer to her face.
How is the formal art element of line used in “Portrait of a young Xhosa woman”?
The figure forms a strong vertical shape in the portrait.
What naturalistic elements are included in “Portrait of a young Xhosa woman”?
Pemba details her clothing and beadwork in the style of a typical naturalistic European portrait.
Describe the background of “Portrait of a young Xhosa woman”?
The background is a flat area with a strong shadow cast by the figure.
How is the formal art element of colour and tone used in “Portrait of a young Xhosa woman”?
Tonal values are used to create rounded shapes. Earth tones give a warm glow.Dark and light contrast are shown in the white dress against the yellow shawl.
When did George Pemba paint “Eviction - Woman and Child”?
1992
What medium was used in “Eviction - Woman and Child”?
Oil paint on board.
What style of work did George Pemba use in “Eviction - Woman and Child”?
Figurative with expressionistic characteristics.
What technique did George Pemba use in “Eviction - Woman and Child”?
Definite brushstrokes
Describe the subject of “Eviction - Woman and Child”?
A woman with her child sits in the middle of a landscape with houses between her possessions - table, chair, a broom, etc
What is the story of “Eviction - Woman and Child”?
The woman has been forced to leave her home and she is sitting with her meagre possessions, holding her baby. She is sad and uncertain of the future.
What does the winding road in “Eviction - Woman and Child” symbolise?
The winding road is symbolic of the journey she must make.
Why is “Eviction - Woman and Child” considered a typical South African story?
It tells of our history of forced removals of non-whites and how the poor must suffer.
What is the focal point of “Eviction - Woman and Child”?
The woman with the baby is the focal point in this composition.
What is the purpose of the winding road in “Eviction - Woman and Child”?
It leads the eye to the houses at the top.
How is distortion used in “Eviction - Woman and Child”?
The perspective of the house on the left is exaggerated.
What is the purpose of the sharp shapes in “Eviction - Woman and Child”?
The sharp shapes such as the furniture helps to create an unhappy feeling.
How is perspective used in “Eviction - Woman and Child”?
There is perspective in the small houses in the back against the larger figure and objects in the front.
How is colour used in “Eviction - Woman and Child”?
The colours are life-like, except for the exaggerated orange sky. The orange of the sky is picked up in the shawl of the baby.
Describe the brushstrokes in “Eviction - Woman and Child”?
The brushstrokes are clearly seen and speak of emotion.
