Artist Database

Born in Wales in 1901, Matthew (Taffy) Whippman moved to South Africa in 1920 and settled in Johannesburg via the Eastern Cape. Whippman painted during his free time but in 1929, on the advice of Prof FW Armstrong from Wits Tech, he turned to etching. However, he returned to painting in 1935 and began framing his works at Rand Picture Framers. Ten years later, Whippman bought Rand Picture Framers and in time he established an art gallery on the premises. His was one of the first galleries in South Africa to exhibit abstract works. Whippman held his own first exhibition here in 1953 and, while he continued to paint, he infrequently showed his paintings thereafter. Whippman’s works are held in several galleries and museums across the country.