Song Of The Pick, Gerard Sekoto

Question 1

Subject matter

Answer 1

1. Scenes of everyday life of nine men laboring while being guarded by white overseer.
2. Political commentary painting

Question 2

Unity & repetition

Answer 2

1. Shapes of extended right legs & lifted arms holding picks
2. Warden contracts rhythm of movement & song
3. Rhythm by repetition of shapes and colours

Question 3

Shapes

Answer 3

Simplified shapes
Created roundness by strong contrasting tones
Contrasting overseer in white and laborers.

Question 4

Composition

Answer 4

Dynamic by placing figured of workers in strong Diagonal lines
Assymetrical as large group of workers are balanced by small figure on right.

Question 5

Colour & light

Answer 5

Predominantly primary colours
Provide solidity & unity
Colour not true to life

Question 6

Pattern

Answer 6

Strong patterns
Not entirely realistic

Question 7

Brush strokes6/technique

Answer 7

Blurred, soft edged forms
Similar to effect of focus in photograph
Fleeting moment

Question 8

Perspective & depth

Answer 8

3 D perspective adds to effect of distortion
Depth added by layout of composition, tonal values, colours

Question 9

Painterly style

Answer 9

Was focused on formal aspects like form & shape so works do not always show harsh realities of life but more idealized version as a way to sympathize for subjects.

Question 10

Tone

Answer 10

Create shadows to contribute to depth

Question 11

Line & space

Answer 11

Parallel lines of laborers moving into single point