THEME 1
EMERGING SOUTH AFRICAN ARTISTS AND INTERNATIONAL INFLUENCES
AFFECTING THEM
GEORGE PEMBA
INFLUENCES
Realism – Portrayal of the plight of the poor in townships in its
naturalist manner
Impressionism – strong light sources and moments of daily life
SUBJECT MATTER
A group of traditional African ladies harvesting the crops – there is a
feeling of serenity in the painting as it portrays a snapshot of the
everyday lives of these ladies
Harvesters – 1976, oil
CONTRAST AND SIMILARITIES TO “THE GLEANERS”
In the gleaner the ladies are trapped under the horizon line giving off a feeling of
entrapment – giving reference to the oppressive society that they live within
whereas Pemba’s Harvesters are stretched above – although both portray the same
subject matter and Pemba was influenced by Millet –contrasting colour pallets
The Gleaners – Millet – 1857 (REALISM)
SUBJECT MATTER
People frantically trying to escape the 2 gunmen at the back of
the train compartment. They are running towards the viewer –
so we can see their terrified expressions
ELEMENTS
Simplified forms (fewer details)
Storytelling rather than technical
Darker colours – add to somber mood
Dramatic light – creates focus on people
MOVEMENT
Chaotic movement is created through repetition of figures
STYLE
Subjective colouring as well as distortion of forms
PRINCIPLES OD DESIGN AND COMPOSITON
Roof over their head brings all the subjects together creating a unity between them although also creating a feeling
of entrapment being under the horizon line - There is a strong contrast between the dark interior and blue exterior
INTERPRETATION
Confronts viewer about the brutal consequences of the apartheid system on the lives of blacks – draws attention to
the injustice
EVIDENCE
Black people being shot by white policemen – they are helpless while others are armed
EMERGING SOUTH AFRICAN ARTISTS AND INTERNATIONAL INFLUENCES
AFFECTING THEM
GEORGE PEMBA
INFLUENCES
Realism – Portrayal of the plight of the poor in townships in its
naturalist manner
Impressionism – strong light sources and moments of daily life
SUBJECT MATTER
A group of traditional African ladies harvesting the crops – there is a
feeling of serenity in the painting as it portrays a snapshot of the
everyday lives of these ladies
Harvesters – 1976, oil
CONTRAST AND SIMILARITIES TO “THE GLEANERS”
In the gleaner the ladies are trapped under the horizon line giving off a feeling of
entrapment – giving reference to the oppressive society that they live within
whereas Pemba’s Harvesters are stretched above – although both portray the same
subject matter and Pemba was influenced by Millet –contrasting colour pallets
The Gleaners – Millet – 1857 (REALISM)
SUBJECT MATTER
People frantically trying to escape the 2 gunmen at the back of
the train compartment. They are running towards the viewer –
so we can see their terrified expressions
ELEMENTS
Simplified forms (fewer details)
Storytelling rather than technical
Darker colours – add to somber mood
Dramatic light – creates focus on people
MOVEMENT
Chaotic movement is created through repetition of figures
STYLE
Subjective colouring as well as distortion of forms
PRINCIPLES OD DESIGN AND COMPOSITON
Roof over their head brings all the subjects together creating a unity between them although also creating a feeling
of entrapment being under the horizon line - There is a strong contrast between the dark interior and blue exterior
INTERPRETATION
Confronts viewer about the brutal consequences of the apartheid system on the lives of blacks – draws attention to
the injustice
EVIDENCE
Black people being shot by white policemen – they are helpless while others are armed
