The Dictionary of South African Painters and Sculptors. Including Namibia, by Grania Ogilvie and Carol Graff.

The Dictionary of South African Painters and Sculptors. Including Namibia, by Grania Ogilvie and Carol Graff.

The Dictionary of South African Painters and Sculptors has been compiled by Grania Ogilvie and Carol Graff to provide the most up-to-date and comprehensive survey of its kind.

Grania Ogilvie  Carol Graff  

The Dictionary of South African painters and sculptors contains detailed alphabetical information on over 1800 painters, sculptors and graphic artists who were born, lived in or are presently living in South Africa or Namibia. The area, known formerly as South West Africa and more commonly today as Namibia, is included in this dictionary as the artists of this region and their work are closely affiliated with those of South Africa. For convenience the term SWA/Namibia has been used in the text. The criteria for inclusion for both past and contemporary artists were essentially the following: those painters or sculptors who have held a solo exhibition; have participated in a major group exhibition; are represented in a public collection or whose work is on public display; have gained prizes or awards; or are an integral part of the South African or Namibian artistic heritage. No attempt has been made to supply a complete list of an artist's work, this would have made the book unwieldy, but the sections Represented and References are included to guide the reader to other sources of information. A full bibliography of works cited is supplied at the end of the book, together with a listing of useful addresses for further reference and an explanation of the abbreviations used. Extensive research for the Dictionary was conducted over a period of nearly six years. Among others, the following sources were thoroughly examined: the archives of the Michaelis Art Library, Johannesburg; the Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria; libraries of selected universities and technikons throughout South Africa; public and private galleries and their catalogues; museums; Registration Departments of Births and Deaths; and a large selection of books and periodicals published locally and overseas. Much too was gained from correspondence with artists and others. A more specific list of acknowledgements is provided on a separate page. Carol Graff and I have benefited from the labours of previous biographers and art historians, and the research done by various institutions and in student dissertations or theses. We also take this opportunity of thanking the many contemporary artists who took the trouble to complete and return our rather daunting questionnaires; without their help and support the project would have been impossible to complete. As far as can be ascertained the information received is remarkably factual, but to double-check every single item was an impossible task. Some artists asked for certain details not to be published and we have naturally respected their wishes. Despite all this endeavour and assistance, the compilers realise that in a book of this nature errors and misinformation can creep in. We have tried our utmost to minimise this, and apologise to any artist to whom incorrect data is attributed. Certain artists may well have been omitted who would otherwise have met our criteria for inclusion. We regret any such omissions and can only assure these artists, and the reader, that any such shortcoming is not by intent. Perhaps only those who have attempted research in this field will be aware of the considerable difficulties encountered in locating certain artists or even finding information concerning quite major figures. Some artists felt that they were purely educationalists and should not be included in a dictionary of painters and sculptors; we would have liked to include them, but have complied with their request. We would be most grateful if readers could supply authenticated corrections or additions for any revised editions of this book.

This is an excerpt from the book: The Dictionary of South African Painters and Sculptors. Including Namibia, by Grania Ogilvie and Carol Graff.

Title: The Dictionary of South African Painters and Sculptors. Including Namibia
Authors: Grania Ogilvie; Carol Graff
Publisher: Everard Read Gallery
1st edition. Johannesburg, South Africa 1988
ISBN 0620126639 / ISBN 0-620-12663-9
Original hardcover and dustcover, 17x25 cm, 799 pages, 80 full-page colour illustrations