Literature

Jillian Carman and Susan Isaac (eds) (2005) Walter Battiss: Gentle Anarchist, exhibition catalogue, Johannesburg: Standard Bank Gallery, another impression from the edition illustrated in colour on page 195 with the title 'Liza Minelli'.

Warren Siebrits (ed) (2016) Walter Battiss: "I Invented Myself", exhibition catalogue, Johannesburg: The Ampersand Foundation, another impression from the edition illustrated in colour on page 139, cat. no. 1974.3 S8*.

Provenance

The Collection of Professor Murray Schoonraad.

Notes

The present lot was initially created as a collage after Battiss' first trip to New York in July 1974. It is reminiscent of Pop Art compositions like that of Andy Warhol in both its thematic and arrangement but combines elements of his Fookian concepts, serving as a compelling example of Fook script. This work was printed by Chris Betambeau of Advanced Graphics, London, in tricolour, giving it a particular vibrancy.

Battiss misspelled Liza Minelli's first name in Fook script (Lisa) but corrected it by adding the correct spelling in English. It is then followed by further Fook script translating to 'Minelli The' below.

This work has also been presented under the title 'Die Aktrise'.¹

¹ Warren Siebrits (ed) (2016) Walter Battiss: "I Invented Myself", exhibition catalogue, Johannesburg: The Ampersand Foundation, page 138.