ARTLife | GEORGE PEMBA EDUCATIONAL FEATURE / GALLERY
“Black Jesus” – oil painting, 1985 (9)
“Portrait of Artist’s Mother” – oil painting, 1948 (10)
‘Portrait of Marina’ – oil on canvas, 1946 (11) When Pemba visited the artist Beatrice Niehaus and told her he wanted to paint, she thought he was looking for a job as a house painter. In fact, he wanted to paint her daughter. Niehaus invited him in, provided canvas and oils, and was delighted with Pemba’s finished portrait, which shows his skill as a portrait painter, and the successful interplay of complimentary colours in the warm skin tones against the blue dress and green background.
Pic – ‘Korsten’ –oil, 1961 (12) Using broad Impressionist brush strokes and strong contrasts between light and dark, Pemba paints the township of his birth as an unspoilt rural haven, reminiscent of the work of Millet, the 19th century realist whom he so admired. “At the Clinic” – oil painting, 1979 (13)
‘How Long must I Suffer?’ – oil, 1975. (14) The man depicted in this painting used to visit Pemba’s shop and in return for food and clothing, allowed the artist to paint his portrait. Expressionistic and reminiscent of Van Gogh, the portrait shows Pemba using thick brushstrokes and strong black lines around the figure to accentuate man’s anguish. Although the man depicted here was apparently ‘retarded’, the subject of suffering possibly alludes to Pemba’s own struggle with alcohol.
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‘Xhosa Woman and Child’ – watercolour on paper, 1948 (15) South African Art Times June 2011