This exhibition consists of a representative selection of paintings, drawings and sculpture made in South Africa since 1900.
There is as yet no reason to speak of a South African school of painting: the main influences have come from European Art.
Oerder painted with sincerity and a good sound craftsmanship he brought from Europe. Van Wouw, the country's first sculptor of the period, was a literalist whose smooth small bronzes were sometimes of more than ethnological interest. Another member of the Group is Francois Krige. Equally modest, Cecil Higgs is perhaps the most individual woman painter working.
The expansion of the New Group to include artists from all parts the country seemed to coincide with a much wider Interest in the Arts. With the outbreak of the Second World War, South African who have been working overseas returned. Maud Sumner had been painting for some years in Paris. Cecil Michaelis shows marked French influences but his drawings show a possible new approach to the treatment of Bantu figure subjects.
Moses Kottler is certainly the most eminent sculptor working in the country. He is a fine portraitist whose most characteristically 'African' work is in wood.
As can be seen from this exhibition there are a number of artists producing diverse but interesting work.
Geoffrey Long