Notes

The artist arrived in Paris in 1947, attended drawing classes at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière.

Reminiscent of the high-rise buildings of New York City, these four rough, sketch-like cityscapes have the quality of preparatory drawings. No doubt completed swiftly, these linear depictions are of an architecture not unfamiliar, yet also unrecognisable. Although born in South Africa, Sekoto – in a self-imposed exile – moved to Paris in 1947, and remained there until his death. This move, although difficult in its beginnings, allowed Sekoto to broaden and enrich his experience, and most particularly, to participate in a number of arts-centred activities. Through these interactions, images or perhaps even films of similar buildings may have initiated these paintings. The vivid red and orange hues as seen in three of the works, prompt one to imagine the city on fire, with plumes and swirls of red smoke making their ways skyward. Numbered 1 to 4, these paintings can be understood as a series that may have been a means of thinking through a final painting, or the underpinnings of a poster that was to be produced.