Gerard Sekoto
South Africa | Painting, Music
Pioneer of urban Black art in South Africa, known for paintings depicting everyday life.
Exhibitions
Gerard Sekoto: From the Paris Studio
1991 - Johannesburg Art Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa
A significant retrospective that focused on Sekoto’s works created during his time in Paris, highlighting his role as a pioneer of modern South African art and his exploration of social themes through vibrant color and expressive form.
Sekoto: Art Is the Eternal Truth
2003 - Iziko South African National Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa
A major retrospective that celebrated Sekoto’s legacy, showcasing his works across different periods of his career, from his early days in Sophiatown to his later years in exile in Paris.
Gerard Sekoto: Song for Sekoto
1989 - Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, Paris, France
This exhibition marked Sekoto’s recognition in Europe, focusing on his contributions to modern art and his influence on the depiction of African life in urban settings.
Paris and South Africa: A Dialogue
1993 - Standard Bank Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa
An exhibition that highlighted Sekoto’s interaction with the European art scene while in Paris, juxtaposing his works with those of his South African contemporaries, illustrating his unique position as a cultural bridge.
Les Nègres du Monde
1959 - Galerie Paul Facchetti, Paris, France
A group exhibition that featured Sekoto’s work alongside other African and African diaspora artists, emphasizing themes of racial identity, social justice, and cultural pride during the post-colonial period.
The Short Century: Independence and Liberation Movements in Africa, 1945-1994
2001 - Museum Villa Stuck, Munich, Germany
A landmark exhibition that included Sekoto’s work, focusing on the role of artists in the struggle for independence and social justice across Africa, highlighting his contributions to the cultural and political discourse of his time.